Il Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 closes a season dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The Dutchman is also the absolute protagonist on the Yas Marina circuit and is the only driver to have completed all the laps of every Grand Prix. Alongside him could only be his main antagonist, not so much this season, all too disappointing. No, it's not Sergio Perez, but Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque managed to end the season with a podium, finishing ahead of his teammate Sainz in the drivers' standings. However, despite Leclerc's commitment, also in helping Perez in his strategic rise, the Maranello team did not achieve its main objective, namely second place in the constructors' championship which went to Mercedes. Carlos Sainz, who started sixteenth, faced a difficult day, particularly suffering with his pace and finishing his race just before the checkered flag, after making the second stop. This sad retirement disappointed Fanta F1 fans, making Sainz one of the biggest disappointments of the weekend. And now, focusing attention on who shone and who disappointed in the Abu Dhabi Fanta F1, three protagonists and as many disappointments emerge. So let's see the tops and flops at Fanta F1 in Abu Dhabi.
The top of the Abu Dhabi GP
Among the protagonists, in addition to the winner Verstappen, other names of great prestige stand out, with exceptional performances that brought home many points at Fanta F1.
Yuki Tsunoda: Max doesn't want it but today the winner at Fanta F1 can only be him. In the farewell race of his mentor and team principal Franz Tost Yuki Tsunoda took home an eighth position and the title of Sky driver of the day. Unfortunately, seventh place in the constructors' category was not achieved but the effort put in by Yuki in attempting to achieve this objective cannot be denied. Undoubtedly the one in Abu Dhabi was his best race, perhaps penalized by the one-stop strategy. But Yuki defended himself well, preceding in an AlphaTauri, a 7-time world champion in a Mercedes. He was also leader of the GP for several laps. We are all proud of him.
Charles Leclerc: in Abu Dhabi the Monegasque is exalted and exalts us. He tried to attack Verstappen until the end, also trying to help Perez maintain his position over Russell for second place in the constructors' championship. Undoubtedly it hasn't been an easy season for him, but certainly seeing him with this hunger can only give hope to Ferrari fans who dream of seeing him soon fight for the world championship.
George Russell: George took revenge on Hamilton, at least for a weekend. After having suffered for most of the races this season in Abu Dhabi, he built the podium by making his way through the group, even against a difficult opponent like the two McLarens. His third place ensures Mercedes securely finishes second in the constructors' championship. A nice haul of points also arrives at Fanta F1.
The Fanta F1 flops at the Abu Dhabi GP
We now come to the sore points, namely the flops of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Fanta F1.
Carlos Sainz: we mentioned it at the beginning and we reiterate it here too. The Spaniard was coming from a complicated weekend in Las Vegas. In Abu Dhabi another heavy accident affected the weekend where he never found the pace that allowed him to stay in front. In qualifying for the first time this season he failed to make the cut for Q1. In the race he never felt comfortable in his pace, regardless of any right or wrong strategy. Unfortunately at the end comes a heavy withdrawal for the fantasy managers who had deployed him at Fanta F1 and the confirmation of the overtaking of Mercedes in manufacturers ranking.
Sergio Perez: the FIA was particularly fierce with Perez this weekend. After the penalty he takes it out on the stewards, insinuating that they were not up to their job. Leaving aside the work of the commissioners and their incompetence, the Mexican certainly did not optimize the result, leaving even the Fantamanagers high and dry.
Pierre Gasly: the race of both Alpine standard bearers did not go well. Especially for Pierre Gasly who complained to the team on the radio about the internal hierarchies and the strategy that left him further behind than Ocon. Not that this had much of an impact on the standings given that in the end neither of them scored points.
