Verstappen Shines with Stellar Performance as Alpine Struggles at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix showcased a dramatic conclusion to the Formula 1 season, with Max Verstappen displaying outstanding skill and determination. Despite narrowly missing the title by just two points, Verstappen achieved his eighth victory of the year, cementing his reputation as the most successful driver of the season.

Driver Performance Reviews

• Max Verstappen: 10/10 – A remarkable weekend for Verstappen, leading to his eighth victory of the season.
• Lando Norris: 8/10 – Managed his championship effectively, securing the title without needing a win.
• Oscar Piastri: 7/10 – Regained form but lacked enough performance for a significant upset.
• Charles Leclerc: 7/10 – Impressive showing, nearly denying Norris the podium and title.
• Esteban Ocon: 7/10 – Achieved a points finish after utilizing his teammate’s setup.
• Fernando Alonso: 7/10 – Showed his continued excellence, stating that the best driver hasn’t won the title in 19 seasons.
• Lance Stroll: 6/10 – Finished the year on a positive note with a points finish.
• Yuki Tsunoda: 5/10 – A challenging race for Tsunoda, although he tried his best to support Verstappen.
• Lewis Hamilton: 5/10 – Overcame a poor qualifying by finishing strong in eighth place.
• George Russell: 5/10 – Disappointing weekend, falling short of podium aspirations.
• Pierre Gasly: 5/10 – Struggled in his Alpine, final race with the team.
• Oliver Bearman: 5/10 – Improved his position from an eleventh-place start, finishing with one point.
• Gabriel Bortoleto: 5/10 – Started 7th but dropped to 12th during the race.
• Carlos Sainz: 4/10 – Finished well off the podium despite consistent performances earlier.
• Franco Colapinto: 4/10 – Lacked pace and faced significant challenges with his car.
• Isack Hadjar: 4/10 – Only positive was qualifying for Q3 amidst struggles during the race.
• Nico Hülkenberg: 4/10 – Disappointing outing, eliminated in Q1 without scoring points.
• Kimi Antonelli: 3/10 – Underperformed throughout the weekend.
• Liam Lawson: 3/10 – Failed to reach Q3 and was largely absent in the race.
• Alex Albon: 2/10 – Ended a challenging season without a notable performance.

Team Evaluations

• Red Bull: 8/10 – Despite strong efforts, couldn’t surpass McLaren in the championship.
• McLaren: 8/10 – Strategically sound, effectively covering all scenarios against Red Bull.
• Ferrari: 7/10 – Charles Leclerc’s performance revitalized the team in Abu Dhabi.
• Aston Martin: 7/10 – Achieved double points and secured 6th in the Constructors’ Championship.
• Haas: 6/10 – Also scored double points, with Ocon having a standout weekend.
• Mercedes: 5/10 – A disappointing race where they aimed for at least a podium with Russell.
• Sauber: 4/10 – Good qualifying results, but failed to secure points in the race.
• Williams: 3/10 – Struggled without a Q3 appearance or points after a podium in Qatar.
• Racing Bulls: 2/10 – Hadjar’s Q3 qualification was overshadowed by poor race performance.
• Alpine: 1/10 – A dismal farewell to Renault engines in F1, finishing 19th and 20th.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked a fitting conclusion to an intense season, highlighting both standout performances and significant challenges faced by drivers and teams alike. Max Verstappen’s stellar performance stood out among a competitive field, while Alpine’s struggles underscored the difficulties encountered this season.