Max Verstappen triumphed in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after battling to a hard-fought victory in the Formula One season's big finale.
Despite the Formula One championship being decided for both drivers and constructors months ago, the men at the sharp end showed no sign of letting the Dutchman have it all his own way, as has been the case in previous years.
Verstappen held off some spirited contention from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was runner-up, third-placed Mercedes driver George Russell and teammate Sergio Perez, who carved his way up from a relatively modest position early on in the race to finish fourth.
The gritty showing at Yas Marina Circuit extends Verstappen’s winning record to 19 victories in 22 races over the course of the season.
During that period, he has led more than 1,000 laps.
As Verstappen came to a halt on Yas’s main straight after a victory lap and the obligatory doughnuts, the driver stood on top of his car, raising his arms to the cheering crowd as bright red fireworks exploded above him in the night skies over Yas Island.
Things looked like they might turn out differently at the start of the event though, as the early racing wasn’t all straightforward for the man on pole.
Verstappen led into the first corner, seemingly encroaching on to the path of Charles Leclerc, who was approaching menacingly on the inside.
The Ferrari driver was evidently intent on snatching the lead from his Dutch rival early on, but Verstappen kept the nose of his car just a few inches ahead at all times.
The next closest pursuers at the start – McLaren’s Lando Norris and Russell – weren’t giving up easily either.
After less than half a dozen circuits, they and Leclerc had all posted faster lap times than Verstappen.
Good efforts by all, but to no avail, as the lead, for any length of time, was beyond them.
Yuki Tsunoda in the AlphaTauri had a brief moment in the sun as lead car, but a trip to the pit brought that episode to a close.
Despite the efforts of others, and the fact he has been rather more dominant in previous races before Abu Dhabi, Verstappen always looked the most likely victor today.
Verstappen said after the race: “It's been an incredible season, it was a bit emotional on the in lap, it was the last time sitting in the car which has of course given me a lot.
"Very proud to win here in the last race and I have to say a big thank you to everyone at Red Bull, it's been an incredible year, it will be hard to do something similar again.
"It will be very hard to have another season like this, we know that. Of course, you always want to do better but sometimes doing better is not only race wins and potentially winning the championship, we will see, we are working hard for next year to have again a very competitive car."
The rest of the field consisted of Norris finishing at number five, followed by Oscar Piastri of McLaren in sixth, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Tsunoda, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin rounding off the top 10.
Hamilton put in a decent race today, but could not achieve enough consistency to get a higher placing.
The team radio revealed the Englishman was frequently being encouraged by team principal Toto Wolff, informing him he’d been the fastest on the track on a number of occasions.
The main news from the constructor’s side was that Mercedes kept ahead of Ferrari to secure the number two slot, and the McLaren drivers did enough to keep ahead of Aston Martin.
The 2022/2023 F1 season, then, is at an end.
There are now 97 days to wait until the first Grand Prix of next season in Bahrain.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Results
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
