The 3 challenges of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Leclerc vs Pérez, who will finish 2^e ?

Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc looking at what they need to do to finish 2nd behind Max Verstappen. ©DPPI/F. Gooden

Arriving in Abu Dhabi, Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez are neck and neck in the championship. Max Verstappen won the title from Japan last October, the Monegasque and the Mexican are fighting for the honorary title of vice-champion. At the moment, the two men are tied on points, 290 on each side, but it is indeed the driver of the Team Ferrari which appears at number 2^e position thanks to a greater number of victories (3 against 2). For Charles Leclerc the recipe is simple this weekend, finish ahead of Sergio Pérez or hope that in the event of retirement, the Mexican also does not score points. For the representative of Red Bull only one solution exists: to do better than your counterpart. For this, he will perhaps be able to count on the help of his teammate Max Verstappen. After refusing to give him back his position in Brazil a week ago, the Batavian admitted that he would be ready to help his garage neighbor in Abu Dhabi. Will he keep his word? See you on Sunday.

Benefit Alpine against McLaren

Alpine vs McLaren, who will win the duel? ©DPPI

The fight promised to be lively at the end of the season, but ultimately it may not be. In question ? The reliability of the McLaren Lando Norris in Brazil where he was forced to abandon and the clumsiness of Daniel Ricciardo who did not make it to the end of the first round. Alpine can also congratulate itself because its machines performed very well at Interlagos with the 5^e and 8^e places of Fernando Alonso et Esteban Ocon. A result which allowed the Dieppe firm to have a lead of 19 points at the dawn of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, this is not enough room to breathe since the A522s have often been stopped in their tracks by… reliability problems. So beware of further breakdowns otherwise you lose very big.

Vettel, Ricciardo… Take care of the exit

First or last Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel remains as studious as ever. ©DPPI/A. Vincent

There are not only sporting issues this weekend in Abu Dhabi. This last Grand Prix of the year will also be the scene of some final appearances for certain drivers, starting with Sebastian Vettel. More than 15 years after his first start with Sauber in Indianapolis, the four-time world champion is bowing out. Daniel Ricciardo is also in the same situation. However, the Australian does not intend to end his career as he hopes to return in 2024 as a starter. Besides Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, this Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also be the last for a good while Mick Schumacher, replaced by Nico Hülkenberg at Haas, and Nicholas latifi, invited to look elsewhere by Williams who preferred to bet on Logan sargeant, provided that he obtains his Super License.

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