Mercedes vs Ferrari fight to the finish headlines F1's Abu Dhabi finale

Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes and Ferrari in fight to finish in F1 finale as Max Verstappen eyes final flourish Four points between two F1 giants in the battle for second, a fast Lando Norris out of position after a costly qualifying error, and another Verstappen-Leclerc front row; watch the Abu Dhabi GP live on Sky Sports F1 at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up from 11.30am By James Galloway and Nigel Chiu Last Updated: 25/11/23 7:33pm Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky F1's Anthony Davidson analyses Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc's performances in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Sky F1's Anthony Davidson analyses Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc's performances in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Formula 1 will race for the final time in 2023 in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi GP with Max Verstappen chasing more records and Mercedes and Ferrari locked in a lucrative duel for second place in the standings that could still go either way. Verstappen took his fourth consecutive pole at the Yas Marina Circuit despite set-up struggles in practice and, although he may be favourite to win for a remarkable record-extending 19th time this year, there will be numerous battles for pride and prize-money at play through the field in a race that starts at 1pm, live on Sky Sports F1.The world champion will have Ferrari's Charles Leclerc alongside him on the front row, just seven days after the pair got very close off the line in Las Vegas. For Leclerc though, he will also be looking over his shoulder as Ferrari are looking to overhaul their four-point deficit to Mercedes in the battle for second in the Constructors' Championship.In addition to the sporting pride of beating a key rival, F1 teams receive end-of-season prize money based on their finishing position in the teams' standings. Although the exact split is confidential, the difference between each place is thought to be in the region of $10m (£8m).Ferrari or Mercedes for 2023's runner-up? Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is determined to help his team secure second spot in the constructors' standings. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is determined to help his team secure second spot in the constructors' standings. The Ferrari and Mercedes fight is perfectly set up as Leclerc starts second and George Russell is only a couple of places behind in fourth.McLaren's Oscar Piastri starts between them.However, poor qualifying performances from Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton leave them in 16th and 11th respectively. For both drivers, avoiding the carnage in the midfield during the early part of the race will be priority No 1 as they aim to make up ground and help their respective teams in the fight for second."Everything is possible. Nobody can predict what will happen, but I think the pace is there," Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur told Sky Sports F1."Let's see… It's clear that we will need to score with two cars. We will be aggressive with Carlos on the strategy for sure, and let's see what can happen." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Mercedes' Toto Wolff and driver George Russell reflect on a successful Qualifying session after securing P4 ahead of the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. Mercedes' Toto Wolff and driver George Russell reflect on a successful Qualifying session after securing P4 ahead of the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. Russell, who thought more than the second row may have been on offer for him in wake of strong pace he had shown up to qualifying, is confident Mercedes are in good shape for the race distance and "will have good pace over the McLaren and over Charles"."Of course, we need to finish ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship, but in these situations, and especially when I've fought for championships in my younger years, you have just got to treat it like any other race," said Russell, chasing just his second podium finish of a tricky year."You always go out to achieve the best result possible and, if that's what we do, we'll finish ahead of Ferrari. Lewis had a tricky session but he's still in P11, he'll move forward. Carlos will move forward too I'm sure. We are in a good position, I feel pretty relaxed, just exited for the final race of the season."What about McLaren? How others can interfere with the battle Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player McLaren's Oscar Piastri says he's tried to make the most of his opportunities in an impressive rookie season in the sport. McLaren's Oscar Piastri says he's tried to make the most of his opportunities in an impressive rookie season in the sport. The McLaren pair of Piastri and Lando Norris, who felt he threw away the chance of pole with an error on his final Q3 lap, are set to be in the middle of the Leclerc and