That's All, Folks - 2023 Abu Dhabi GP Review

That's all for the on-track action from the 2023 Formula 1 season. But the action will continue on the Inside Line F1 Podcast into the off-season of the sport. We've got a few Team Principals lined up as guests followed by Daryl Goodrich (Director of the Brawn GP documentary) and Andrew Denford (from F1 in Schools).

But in this episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, Kunal Shah and @f1statsguru review the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Was the race fitting as a finale for the 2023 Formula 1 season? Or was it underwhelming at best? Frankly, the Feature Race of Formula 2 in Abu Dhabi was far more fun!

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Max Verstappen's 19th win of the season, his overtaking of Sebastian Vettel's win tally of 53 races, his leading more than 1,000 racing laps this season and more. The 2023 Abu Dhabi was yet another race of dominance by Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. However, it was also another classic for Sergio Perez. Checo lost positions yet again, this time due to a post-race time penalty! It's the third consecutive race in which he's lost positions on the final lap!

McLaren's missed opportunities with Lando Norris and their slow stop giving George Russell and Mercedes vital track position and points in their battle for P2 against Ferrari, Charles Leclerc's Sainz-esque approach to clinch P2, Tsunoda-Hamilton's last lap scrap and Fernando Alonso's brake-testing of Hamilton. A lot happened in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix even if the overall race wasn't as exciting. 'Tyre management' was the name of the game, unfortunately.

Btw, did you notice the new podium at the Yas Marina Circuit? Also, AI was in action for 'track limits' this race. Lots to talk about, lots to tune in for!

(Season 2023, Episode 63)

Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Mercedes

**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.