© Getty ImagesRace Changing Moments: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023In a season that broke all the records, it was fitting for the Team to bow out of 2023 in style. Here are the highlights from the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix…
Mostwinsforateam,mostindividualwins,mostconstructors’points,mostdrivers’points,morethan1,000lapsled.ThisseasonhasbeenlikenootherfortheTeam.It’sbeensodominantthatonlyonceina23-raceseasontherewasn’taRedBulldriveronthetopstepofthepodium.Althoughrecordshavebeenbrokenforawhilenow,theTeamextendedthemattheYasMarinaCircuit,makingthemharderforanyoneelsebeat.TheAbuDhabiGrandPrixholdsaspecialplaceintheTeam’sheart,andhereareafewmorereasonswhy…
Max has truly ruled this season with 19 wins and two second-place finishes. He’s had success like no other driver. But his race engineer GP was keeping an eye on one more record. And when Max achieved the milestone of 1,000 laps at the front of the race the radio crackled and GP said: “Mission one complete.”
To show how impressive leading for that many laps is, it is the exact amount of laps McLaren led in the 1988 season when they had Alain Prost and Ayton Senna in the team and they won every race bar one.
Max And Rocky© Vladimir Rhys
The RB19 has been so strong in 2023 it should stand for Ruddy Brilliant. Max’s dominant performance at the Yas Marina Circuit saw him take the chequered flag 17-seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc in P2. By taking that 19th win of the season Max and his RB19 hit another goal. They are the only car and driver to complete every single lap of the 2023 season. That is not only testament to Max’s driving ability, but to the amazing RB19 that hasn’t let him down once.
“This car is going to go down in the history books as a very, very special car. To have won 21 races out of the 22 is an achievement we never thought possible,” said Team Principal Christian Horner, before adding: “We are going to hopefully take all of these lessons out of this car and apply it into our 20th car. It will be another special year for us in our 20th year as we continue to build to try and defend these two titles. Preparation has already began!”
Ladies And Gentleman, The RB19© Vladimir Rhys
On Saturday Max made it the perfect dozen of qualifying results with another pole position. He made it look easy by nailing his opening lap in Q3. His time of 1:23.445 was the benchmark going into the second runs. Some drivers came close, including Lando Norris who went purple in sector one, but the time was unbeatable and saw Max start from the front of the grid once again. It was also the fourth time in a row that Max had claimed pole at the Yas Marina.
“It was a text book drive,” said Christian. “it’s a great summation of his year.”
Another Pole Position Of The Season© Getty Images
Checo crossed the line in P2 at the end of the final race of the year, but a five-second penalty – which was deemed harsh by many – meant he dropped behind Charles Leclerc and George Russell to finish P4.
Most in the Team, and Checo himself, thought it was just a racing incident, but the stewards didn’t agree. However, it didn’t take away from what was an impressive drive by the Bull. He carved his way from ninth on the grid, up to second place in the 58-lap race. A strong finish to the season that will give him motivation for 2024. After the race, Checo said: “I have learnt this season to never give up, we have had some tough times, ups and downs but it only matters where you finish when the season ends here. Next year we have another chance and we go for it!”
First Ever 1-2 Finish In Drivers' Championship© Vladimir Rhys
