Red Bull Racing may have wrapped up a 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time in their Formula 1 history, but the battle for 4th in the Drivers’ Championship is still wide open.
Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc are separated by 12 points for P4. Similarly, the battle for the 2nd in the Constructors’ Championship is tightly contested. Ferrari and Mercedes are separated by 4 points only.
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And finally, if the minnows interest you (which we are sure they do!), then only 16 points separated Williams in 7th to Haas in 10th. Yes, they might not be heavy points scorers, but this is Formula 1 and in Abu Dhabi, you never know what result is thrown up!
In this week’s episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal preview the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It’s the 15th race in Abu Dhabi – time flies! But what do you remember the most about the Yas Marina Circuit? The pit lane tunnel exit? Or the fact that it is one of the most-expensive circuits to be ever built…with little to offer for on-track entertainment?
Also, if you’re worried that Formula 1 will be over and done with after Abu Dhabi, worry not. The start to the 2024 Formula 1 Season will only be 97 days after the chequered flag drops in Abu Dhabi.
A Red Bull Racing-Max Verstappen win might be certain. And if so, Red Bull Racing will only be 1 win behind Williams’ all-time race wins in Formula 1 (114). Also, Verstappen will overtake Sebastian Vettel to be the third-highest race winner in the sport – after Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. Of course, he will extend his current record of most wins in a season to 19!
But will Sergio Perez lose a spot on the final lap of a race for the third consecutive time? Can Ferrari finally perform in Abu Dhabi? They have scored neither a pole position nor a race win here ever! If they score pole on Saturday, it will be their 250th pole overall. Who will win the qualifying head-to-head in Mercedes? George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are both tied 11-11.
Haven’t we already given you all the reasons for tuning in to this weekend’s 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and of course, this episode, too?
(Season 2023, Episode 63)
Follow our hosts on Twitter: Soumil Arora, @f1statsguru and Kunal Shah
Image courtesy: Mercedes
