Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Wins Season Finale As Red Bull Wins F1 Constructors' Championship

 

Max Verstappen has brought it all to a delightful end after winning the season finale in Abu Dhabi, and the team, Red Bull won the F1 Constructors' Championship for the second season in a row. 

So far, it has been a dominant season for Verstappen, even though he witnessed fierce competition at some points from drivers like Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, and Charles Leclerc, the Dutch driver maintained his control on the track to be the F1 season champion for the third season in a row. 

In Abu Dhabi, pole-setter, Verstappen started off with a strong challenge from Leclerc, who started in P2, and was able to keep his grip of the race. After pitting in Lap 17, Verstappen dropped to seventh and needed to improve from behind to regain lead from Leclerc. 

Leclerc finished in second as George Russell made podium finish in third. Meanwile, Sergio Perez finished behind Verstappen for Red Bull one-two podium finish but the Mexican driver had bagged five-second time penalty for colliding with McLaren's Lando Norris on Lap 47. As a consequence, Perez was dropped to fourth ahead of Norris who finished fifth. 

Crossing the finish line was colourful for Verstappen, who was welcomed with an array of fireworks going up in the air in celebration of the season finale. The three-time champion closed the season winning 19 of the 22 races.