1 Dummy call shows there’s hope for Ferrari as Verstappen wins
Max Verstappen led the first all-Red Bull front row since the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix (when Daniel Ricciardo was on pole – his last to date) and pulled away to a victory that never seemed in doubt. This was a far less controversial Abu Dhabi GP than the preceding one, thankfully, and ended on a slightly optimistic note – since not only did Charles Leclerc pull off one of his finest drives of the season to finish second for Ferrari, he usurped Sergio Pérez in that position via a piece of subterfuge that suggests the Scuderia now has its strategic house in order after a troubled year.
Having won the race, Verstappen uttered a masterly piece of understatement: “It was all about tyre management.” Having dealt with a brief and not especially vigorous challenge from team-mate Pérez at Turn 1 on the opening lap he ran clear to the end, ceding the lead only after making his sole pitstop. It was indeed another tyre-management masterclass from the world champion.
Ferrari knew Red Bull had the advantage
