Ferrari and Mercedes used to battle for the Formula 1 title not so long ago. However, with Max Verstappen dominating proceedings, they resorted to fighting for the silver medal. Neither of these teams requires the extra prize money that comes with a higher position. It was all about pride and momentum. The two giants of Formula 1 had an epic battle at this year’s Abu Dhabi GP, going right down to the final lap of the race. Ultimately, Charles Leclerc’s P2 wasn’t enough.
The Set-up
Mercedes and Ferrari came into the Abu Dhabi GP with just 4 points between them. Charles Leclerc was starting 2nd with George Russell in 4th. Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz had an off weekend by their standards.
At the start of the Abu Dhabi GP, Charles Leclerc tried to overtake Max twice but thought better of it. Meanwhile, George lost a place to Lando Norris but overtook Piastri a couple of laps later. After a dodgy pitstop by McLaren, George got ahead of him as well.
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The Closest on Track
Shortly after George and Lando pit, Charles Leclerc came in for his pitstop. He emerged just a few tenths ahead of George. But on a day where they were very evenly matched at the Abu Dhabi GP, these few tenths were enough.
Amazing Thinking by Leclerc
Charles Leclerc showed his capacity for reading a race brilliantly at the Abu Dhabi GP. Sergio Perez got into the fight between Russell and Leclerc. When he was about to catch Russell, Leclerc asked Ferrari if he should make them lose more time.
After Perez got past the Mercedes, Ferrari should have been happy. But he had a 5-second time penalty. Charles Leclerc played the ultimate card by letting Perez pass so he could go on and build a 5-second gap to Russell.
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However, all of his efforts went in vain as George finished just 4 seconds behind Perez. On a day when Hamilton only scored 2 points, and Sainz none, the battle between these two supremely talented drivers stole the limelight.
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