**Race Review:**
* Max Verstappen secured his 19th win of the season, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record of 53 race wins and leading more than 1,000 racing laps.
* Sergio Perez lost positions due to a post-race time penalty, marking the third consecutive race where he lost positions on the final lap.
* McLaren missed opportunities with Lando Norris due to a slow stop, giving George Russell and Mercedes vital track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari.
* Charles Leclerc employed a Sainz-like approach to secure P2, while Tsunoda and Hamilton had a last-lap scrap, and Alonso brake-tested Hamilton.
**Notable Moments:**
* A new podium was unveiled at the Yas Marina Circuit.
* AI was utilized for track limits enforcement during the race.
**Season Review:**
* Mercedes secured the Formula 1.5 Constructors' Championship by a narrow margin.
* Max Verstappen's dominance has relegated other teams to Formula 1.5, leading to a lack of excitement and entertainment in Formula 1.
* The 2023 season featured several thrilling races, including the Singapore Grand Prix, which was the only race where all drivers participated.
* Verstappen's achievements, including 19 race wins and 1,000 laps led, are remarkable and may be difficult to surpass in the future.
**Proposed Changes for 2024:**
* Sundaram suggests introducing more races to potentially allow for more race wins and record-breaking performances.
* Kunal expresses satisfaction with the current format and believes teams should figure out how to improve their performance within the existing regulations.
* Jens emphasizes the need for better stewarding and consistent application of rules and penalties to enhance the quality of racing.
**Donut Gate:**
* Formula One initially allowed the top three drivers to perform donuts on the start-finish straight post-race but later rescinded the permission.
* Drivers such as Leclerc, Alonso, Russell, and Albon inquired about doing donuts but were denied.
* Potential reasons for the denial include preserving engines for post-season testing and avoiding unnecessary expenses associated with potential damage from donuts.
**Driver of the Day:**
* Yuki Tsunoda is unanimously chosen as the Driver of the Day for his impressive performance, leading five laps and showcasing his skills.
**Leclerc and Alonso's Performances:**
* Leclerc displayed strategic decision-making by letting Perez pass, a move that Ferrari initially disapproved of but ultimately benefited the team in the Constructors' Championship.
* Alonso secured P3 in the Drivers' Championship, with the outcome being determined by the number of P3 finishes throughout the season.
* Both Leclerc and Alonso demonstrated a willingness to take matters into their own hands and make strategic decisions during the race.
**McLaren's Struggles:**
* McLaren faced a five-second pit stop for Lando Norris, costing him track position to George Russell.
* The team acknowledged that developments made to the car to catch up with Red Bull may have compromised its drivability, leading to driver errors.
* Norris' tendency to make mistakes under pressure is a concern, and his progression will be closely monitored in the upcoming season.
**Alpine's Performance:**
* Alpine's struggles will be discussed in an upcoming podcast episode with Otmar Szafnauer.
* Pierre Gasly had a challenging race, expressing frustration over incidents with Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez.
**Perez's Penalty and Alonso's Brake Check:**
* Perez received a five-second penalty for his collision with Norris, which some consider unfair as it was a racing incident.
* Alonso's brake-testing of Hamilton is deemed unsporting and dangerous, although it did not result in any major consequences.
**Conclusion:**
* The 2023 Formula 1 season concluded with a race that lacked excitement, highlighting the dominance of Verstappen and Red Bull.
* The focus now shifts to the off-season, with several team principals and experts lined up as guests on the Inside Line F1 Podcast to discuss various aspects of the sport. # Inside Line F1 Podcast: Season 2023, Episode 63 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Review
**Summary:**
The Inside Line F1 Podcast team, consisting of Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah, and @f1statsguru, convene to dissect the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race of the 2023 Formula 1 season. They delve into various aspects of the race, offering their insights and perspectives.
**Key Points:**
* **Max Verstappen's Dominance:** Verstappen secured his 19th win of the season, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's win tally of 53 races. He also led more than 1,000 racing laps, further solidifying his dominance.
* **Sergio Perez's Misfortunes:** Despite a strong performance, Perez lost positions due to a post-race time penalty, marking the third consecutive race where he lost positions on the final lap.
* **McLaren's Missed Opportunities:** McLaren missed crucial opportunities, including a slow pit stop for Lando Norris, which allowed George Russell and Mercedes to gain track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari.
* **Charles Leclerc's Strategy:** Leclerc adopted a Sainz-like approach to secure P2, demonstrating his adaptability and strategic thinking.
* **Tsunoda-Hamilton Scrap:** Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton engaged in a thrilling last-lap battle, adding excitement to the race.
* **Fernando Alonso's Brake-Testing Controversy:** Alonso admitted to brake-testing Hamilton, sparking discussions about the dangers and unsporting nature of such actions.
* **Track Limits and AI Implementation:** The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the first use of AI to monitor track limits, resulting in penalties for Logan Sargent and Sergio Perez.
* **Post-Season Car Management:** The teams will analyze the cars, conduct stress tests, and allocate components for the 2024 season. Some cars may be preserved for museums or sold at auctions.
* **Yuki Tsunoda's Progress:** Tsunoda's impressive performance, including leading five laps, highlighted his growth and potential.
* **Alpha Tauri's Resurgence:** Alpha Tauri's improved pace, attributed to adopting more Red Bull components, has resulted in a significant jump in the constructors' standings.
* **New Podium at Yas Marina Circuit:** The Abu Dhabi circuit unveiled a new podium, inspired by the Monza podium, but it received mixed reactions.
* **Conclusion:** The 2023 Formula 1 season concluded with Verstappen's dominance and several memorable moments. The team looks forward to the off-season, including upcoming podcast episodes featuring Team Principals and special guests.