Verstappen dominates Abu Dhabi GP as Mercedes hold off Ferrari in 2023 finale

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player A challenging start for Max Verstappen as Leclerc battles for first but the Red Bull driver rapidly eases past in the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix A challenging start for Max Verstappen as Leclerc battles for first but the Red Bull driver rapidly eases past in the opening lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix World champion Max Verstappen capped his historically dominant 2023 Formula 1 campaign by claiming victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take sole ownership of third on the sport's all-time list of race winners. In a dramatic finish to decide second behind Verstappen's Red Bull in the Constructors' Championship, Charles Leclerc took second for Ferrari but it was not enough to overturn a four-point deficit to Mercedes, for whom George Russell took third and team-mate Lewis Hamilton ninth.Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez finished second on the track, but was demoted to fourth by a five-second penalty for causing a late-race collision with Lando Norris, who came fifth ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. Verstappen controlled the 22nd and final race of the year from pole position to claim a record-extending 19th win of the season, taking his overall victory tally to 54, moving him beyond Sebastian Vettel and leaving just Hamilton and Michael Schumacher ahead.The Dutchman, who sealed his third successive title with six grands prix remaining, ends the season with a record total of 575 points, with Red Bull winning all but one race. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sergio Perez bumps into Lando Norris, sending him off track at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Sergio Perez bumps into Lando Norris, sending him off track at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Abu Dhabi GP result: Top 10 1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari3) George Russell, Mercedes4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull5) Lando Norris, McLaren6) Oscar Piastri, McLaren7) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin8) Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri9) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes10) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin More to follow...24 races in 2024! Watch every round of next season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW