Max Verstappen cruised to victory for Red Bull in Formula One’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix yesterday as champions Mercedes endured an uncharacteristic off day.
The Dutchman, starting from pole, led every lap to cross the line 15.9 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas.
World champion Lewis Hamilton, who struggled with the balance of his car throughout the race, was third on his return from a Covid-19-enforced absence.
Mercedes, who wrapped up a record seventh straight title double, had no answer to the pace set by Verstappen’s Honda-powered Red Bull.
As a result, the Brackley-based team, who were running their cars with their engines turned down due to reliability concerns, were denied the satisfaction of capping a dominant season on a high, instead finishing with 13 wins from 17 races.
Verstappen’s victory under the floodlights at the Yas Marina track was the 10th of his career and second this season.
Abishek Takle | [email protected]