Guide to the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as F1 brings the curtains down on an entertaining season.
Although Red Bull have dominantly wrapped up both the driver and constructor titles, there is still a lot at stake as Mercedes look to defend their four-point lead over Ferrari in their scrap for second, whilst McLaren and Aston Martin battle over fourth place.
Across in the drivers’ standings, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris are still locked in their battle over fourth place with the trio split by five points, with Charles Leclerc an outsider despite sitting a further seven points behind Norris in seventh.
This race will also have that rare end of season feeling of no goodbyes with the majority of the grid confirmed for next season, except Logan Sargeant who is however expected to stay at Williams.
Now, here is everything that you need to know ahead of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit
Laps: 58
Race Distance: 306.183km
Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (GMT) |
| Friday 24 November 2023 | FP1 | 10:30am |
| Friday 24 November 2023 | FP2 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 25 November 2023 | FP3 | 10:30am |
| Saturday 25 November 2023 | Qualifying | 2:00pm |
| Sunday 26 November 2023 | Race | 1:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- With contrastable track conditions between FP1 and FP3 to FP2 and Qualifying respectively, only FP2 will provide a representative picture of the pecking order heading into Qualifying.
- Traction could be crucial out of the first hairpin because just one slight mistake will impact their maximum speed along the back straight, especially if battling cars have different tyre degradation.
- Each of the last eight races in Abu Dhabi have been won from pole so Qualifying could be crucial in determining victory.
- With the last two trips to Abu Dhabi having seen a mix of one or two stop strategies, this year could well see more of the same given the challenge in maintaining grip levels.
- Having opted to replace both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez for FP1, Red Bull will need a clean FP2 if want to get on the front foot across the remainder of the weekend.
Last Time Out
Verstappen led from lights to flag in 2022 to win ahead of Leclerc who beat Sergio Perez to finish second and secure the 2022 vice-champion honour.
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