ROUND 23: Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪
FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2023
Circuit stats
- First Grand Prix: 2009
- Number of laps: 58
- Circuit Length: 5.281 km
- Race Distance: 306.183 km
- Lap record: 1:26.103 Max Verstappen (2021)
- 2022 winner: Max Verstappen
Track Map
I think the problem was not strategy, it was the car. It was just slow (and no, Sainz is not that slow. Remember he’s the only non-Red Bull winner this year, and he’s been really close to Charles all year, Charles being one of the fastest drivers on the grid).
They even had to retire the car at the end, so, something was clearly not working. Maybe they expected to go faster, but realized there was something wrong, and eventually gave up with it. It was a sad end of season for Sainz, who, other than the last two races, has had a really consistent season so far.
I guess the crash fucked up something and there wasn’t enough time to find it and fix it
This is what I think too. A pity. I’m sure he wanted to help the team get second place, but it wasn’t possible. We’ll see what happens next year. Apparently they’re trying something new.