Max Verstappen triumphs at season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Max Verstappen triumphed in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after battling to a hard-fought victory in the Formula One season's big finale.

Despite the Formula One championship being decided for both drivers and constructors months ago, the men at the sharp end showed no sign of letting the Dutchman have it all his own way, as has been the case in previous years.

Verstappen held off some spirited contention from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was runner-up, third-placed Mercedes driver George Russell and teammate Sergio Perez, who carved his way up from a relatively modest position early on in the race to finish fourth.

The gritty showing at Yas Marina Circuit extends Verstappen’s winning record to 19 victories in 22 races over the course of the season.

During that period, he has led more than 1,000 laps.

As Verstappen came to a halt on Yas’s main straight after a victory lap and the obligatory doughnuts, the driver stood on top of his car, raising his arms to the cheering crowd as bright red fireworks exploded above him in the night skies over Yas Island.

Things looked like they might turn out differently at the start of the event though, as the early racing wasn’t all straightforward for the man on pole.

Verstappen led into the first corner, seemingly encroaching on to the path of Charles Leclerc, who was approaching menacingly on the inside.

The Ferrari driver was evidently intent on snatching the lead from his Dutch rival early on, but Verstappen kept the nose of his car just a few inches ahead at all times.

The next closest pursuers at the start – McLaren’s Lando Norris and Russell – weren’t giving up easily either.

After less than half a dozen circuits, they and Leclerc had all posted faster lap times than