Thankfully it’s over, the season ending race race at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has drawn the final curtain on what will be remembered as one of the most lackluster seasons in the history of Formula One. Rarely have I yearned for the conclusion of a Formula One season as intensely as this one. The year 2023 unfolded like a recurring nightmare, with Max Verstappen dominating the 23-race calendar, securing a staggering 19 victories along the way. It felt akin to watching someone effortlessly navigate through an F1 video game set on easy mode.

Yet, one has to admit that Max earned his latest title. When one of the best drivers on the grid triumphs in the best car, it’s not merely a stroke of luck but a testament to skill, prowess and timing.

Verstappen still has to turn up and do the job every weekend. Before a wheel even turns, a significant amount of focus and mental fortitude is required to handle the demands of a draining Grand Prix weekend. The sponsors, the fans, and the media—all of it can get in the way and potentially interfere with a driver’s mindset. Verstappen, however, has made it appear effortless.

However, the advantage and superiority of the 2023 Red Bull is so pronounced that Verstappen faced virtually no opposition. From another perspective, he’s essentially racing against himself, and this necessitates the need to minimize mistakes. Contrasting Verstappen’s performance with that of his teammate, Sergio Perez, highlights the remarkable consistency Verstappen maintained throughout 2023.

But for goodness sake, this season has been incredibly dull!

So, the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen secured a comfortable victory from pole position, cruising across the finish line ahead of Charles Leclerc and George Russell. A  battle for the second spot in the constructors championship between Mercedes and Ferrari unfolded during the race, with Mercedes ultimately emerging victorious.

The End.

Let’s hope for a more competitive 2024, as rival teams will need significant development strides to catch up with Red Bull next year. In that regard, it’s not Verstappen’s fault that he turned 2023 into a one-man Max show. Max is simply being Max.