MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: How Mercedes’ P2 in the constructors’ was secured by 1.1s on the last lap of 2023

Mercedes entered the Abu Dhabi finale only four points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ championship. Given the Italian team’s strong form in the last few rounds, Ferrari were optimistic they could snatch the place at the 11th hour, a feeling that was only enhanced when Charles Leclerc qualified on the front row, two places ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes.

Even though Carlos Sainz’s contribution to the task was potentially compromised by his failing to make it out of Q1, so too was Lewis Hamilton’s at Mercedes after going out in Q2. The focus was very much on Leclerc vs Russell.