At the last seasonal event in Abu Dhabi, Ferrari and Mercedes arrive paired. Only 4 points separate them from each other to take second place in the constructors' championship. A goal that is not worth a title but which for one or the other could mean saving the season. Abu Dhabi brings to mind battles to the last point, with teams and drivers often finding themselves fighting for the title on the Yas Marina circuit. It also happened in 2021, with the exciting battle for the title between Verstappen and Hamilton decided at the end by a Safety Car and by the distortion of the regulations which led to the dismissal of race director Michael Masi.
Abu Dhabi 2021 is an episode that still divides public opinion, and which has cast several shadows on the Federation and the Circus. Toto wolff a Las Vegas, a race in which Ferrari recovered several points, bringing it within 4 points of the three-pointed star team with which the second place in the constructors' championship is being fought in Abu Dhabi, he returned to talking about the past with a jab aimed at Michael Masi.
Ferrari and Mercedes will play the season in Abu Dhabi
The Las Vegas GP was a hard blow for Mercedes: George Russell, fourth in the race, was relegated to eighth due to a penalty, while Lewis Hamilton, seventh, suffered a puncture after a contact. These events, combined with the excellent performances of the SF-23 on the street circuit, allowed Ferrari to close the gap in the constructors' standings. The fight will therefore have to take place in Abu Dhabi. A stage that evokes bad memories for Mercedes fans and for Team Principal Toto Wolff, who never misses an opportunity to reclaim the drivers' title that eluded him in 2021.
Wolff: “In Abu Dhabi we will have a suitable race director”
"We will go there more or less on equal points - ha commented Wolff – ma with a proper race director, then everything should be fine". The challenge between Mercedes and Ferrari for second place promises to be intense, but pFor Wolff the outcome doesn't make a big difference, although he recognizes the economic interest at stake. "To be honest, it's nice to have the chance to finish second, as a positive result to finish the season, but For me, little changes between second and third place both don't make me particularly happy in any way. Everything will depend on this last weekend. They are very fast and did a good job. I think in Vegas we could have been evenly matched. But the result showed something different. We'll have to run and see who gets the upper hand".
We remind you that Mercedes will face FP1 in Abu Dhabi with Frederik Vesti at the wheel, replacing Hamilton, allowing the young Dane to get back on board the W14.
