iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
Hosts win fifth and final international match in Lahore by nine runs
KT APPDOWNLOAD
World champion Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Red Bull's world champion extends his record with 19th win in 22 races
Max Verstappen on his way to victory in Sunday Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. — Photo by Neeraj Murali
Max Verstappen's outstanding season ended with a comfortable victory at the Abu Dhabi on Sunday, earning the Formula One champion a record-extending 19th victory of the campaign and 54th overall to move into third on the all-time list.
Verstappen finished ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes driver George Russell, and also collected a bonus point for the fastest lap. His 54th career win moved him one ahead of former Red Bull great Sebastian Vettel, with only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (103) left ahead of him.
“What an incredible year,” Verstappen said after crossing the line.
Red Bull won 21 of 22 races this season, with Sergio Perez claiming two wins.
“You’ve smashed it out of the park this year,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told him on the radio. “We’re all incredibly proud of you.”
Perez crossed the line in second place but dropped to fourth because of a five-second time penalty. Leclerc let Perez go past him on the final lap in the hope that Perez would finish more than five seconds ahead of Russell, with Mercedes and Ferrari both fighting for second place in the constructors' championship.
With Russell's teammate Hamilton finishing ninth for two points and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. out of the points, Mercedes clinched second behind Red Bull in the constructors' table.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough,” Leclerc said.
Verstappen started from pole position for the 12th time this season — more than twice as many as any other driver — with Leclerc alongside him and McLaren's Oscar Piastri third.
The Yas Marina track is one of hardest to overtake on and Verstappen made a good start, holding off a couple of attacks by Leclerc.
Verstappen switched to hard tires on lap 17 of 58, followed by Leclerc on the next lap, leaving AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda in the rare position of leading a race on team principal Franz Tost's last grand prix before retiring.
Verstappen regained the lead a few laps later and was never troubled.
Perez was given a penalty for bumping tires with McLaren's Lando Norris late on, although it appeared that Norris had enough space and turned into Perez's front right tire.
“Why are we given this penalty? I was ahead," a bemused Perez said on team radio.
More news from Sports
Sheffield United relegated after huge loss at Newcastle, In-form Everton assured of Premier League survival with narrow victory over Brentford
The Capitals posted their highest total in the tournament to set up a ten-run win over their gritty rivals
The hosts dominate with a total of 194 medals including 65 golds with Saudi in second place and Kuwait in third
Dubai Amateur 17-year-old Oscar Craig continues to showcase his impressive form with third-round level par 72 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
Twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Olympic debut while Nadal will be eyeing his third gold medal after wins in Beijing and Rio
The defending champions overpowered TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 in Cairo
Although the Gunners are top as they chase a first title for 20 years, Manchester City are regarded as statistical favourites to win a fourth successive crown
