Fast Five: Tsunoda claims Driver of the Day in Verstappen-dominated race, Pourchaire crowned F2 champion, and other big updates

Tsunoda claims Driver of the Day in Verstappen-dominated race

Yuki Tsunoda won the Fan Vote for Driver of the Day at the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP, finishing eighth and achieving his best-ever qualifying sixth position. Max Verstappen secured a convincing victory in a dominant Red Bull season finale. Late-race tactics from Charles Leclerc, attempting to aid Sergio Perez in Ferrari's battle for second in the constructors' championship, led to a fourth-place finish for Perez. The outcome left Mercedes three points ahead of Ferrari, earning them an extra $10 million in prize money and securing third place in the 2023 constructors' championship.

Click here to read the full article by Matt Neill (total-motorsport.com)

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Pourchaire crowned F2 champion in Abu Dhabi thriller

Sauber Academy driver Theo Pourchaire secured the Formula 2 title by outscoring Mercedes junior driver Frederik Vesti in the final round in Abu Dhabi. Pourchaire's strategic climb from 15th to fifth on the grid ensured his victory, marking his first junior single-seater championship since winning the ADAC Formula 4 title in 2019.

Click here to read the full article by Rory Mitchell (racingnews365.com)

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Ricciardo ridicules Sainz's 'culprit' accusation

Daniel Ricciardo playfully suggested that Carlos Sainz is often the troublemaker in Formula 1 impeding situations, claiming that Sainz is known for causing disruptions to other drivers. Ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, Sainz complained about traffic and accused drivers of intentionally creating "dirty air" to hinder rivals without technically impeding. Ricciardo, acknowledging the prevalence of such tactics, stated that he tries to be considerate, highlighting the frustration during practice sessions when drivers are not competing for positions but still encounter impeding issues.

Click here to read the full article by Adam Cooper (motorsport.com)

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The only team in contention for nothing

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Alpine and Red Bull are the only teams not in the championship mix heading into the final race. Alpine sits in sixth place, 92 points ahead of Williams but trailing Aston Martin by more than double their own points. The team has been in the spotlight, especially after a mid-season shake-up. The question remains: what does this mean for their future performance?

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Meet Mercedes e-commerce team

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Discover how Mercedes brings their teamwear and collectible merchandise into the hands of enthusiastic fans. Meet Jack Grimoldby, the senior e-commerce manager, and the rest of the e-commerce team. Learn about their efforts to deliver the must-have kit and create a great online shopping experience for fans.