The ultimate spherical of the 2023 System 1 World Championship takes place this weekend in Abu Dhabi, however Crimson Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was already named this season’s champion in October on the Qatar Grand Prix.

Fellow Crimson Bull driver Sergio Perez has additionally been named second within the championship, and Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton third. Verstappen is not more likely to gradual one bit nonetheless, as every extra win will increase his file for wins in a season. His file tally stands at 18 forward of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The earlier file of 15 was set final season, additionally by Verstappen.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is an annual spherical and takes place annually on the Yas Marina Circuit. The Hermann Tilke-designed circuit was opened in 2009, and a few minor adjustments had been made in 2021 to enhance the motion. A number of turns had been widened and a chicane beforehand forming Turns 5 and 6 was changed with a straight. The adjustments present extra overtaking alternatives and in addition enhance speeds and masses by means of some corners.

The monitor floor continues to be comparatively easy, producing solely common stress on the tires by way of put on and degradation. Because of this Pirelli has nominated its three softest compounds: the C3 because the white laborious, the C4 because the yellow medium, and the C5 because the pink tender.

Yas Marina Circuit, dwelling of the System 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The climate forecast requires dry, heat circumstances all through the weekend. Nonetheless, like different races within the Center East, the Abu Dhabi race begins at twilight and runs into the evening to keep away from the warmth of the day. That poses a problem to the engineers and drivers who should accommodate for the adjustments in tire and automotive behaviour owing to the differing ambient and monitor temperatures.

Going into Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s race, Verstappen’s unbeatable factors tally within the 2023 Drivers’ Championship stands at 549 factors. Perez is second with 273 factors and Hamilton is third with 232 factors. Within the Constructors’ Championship, Crimson Bull sits on 822 factors. Mercedes is second with 392 factors and Ferrari is third with 388 factors. Final yr’s winner in Abu Dhabi was Verstappen, driving for Crimson Bull.

Because the race closes out the season, it will likely be the final for Alfa Romeo which introduced its plans to exit F1 in 2022. Alfa Romeo is represented in F1 by Swiss crew Sauber which is able to compete underneath its personal title within the coming seasons however swap to Audi in 2026, when it turns into the automaker’s official manufacturing facility crew.

McLaren has additionally introduced forward of this weekend’s race that it’ll proceed to make use of Mercedes energy items to 2030, that means it will likely be among the many buyer groups to make use of Mercedes’ energy unit being developed to fulfill 2026’s new laws.