RACE START: Enjoy the final getaway of the year as Max Verstappen leads the field in Abu Dhabi

Fresh off the back of his 12th pole position of the year, Max Verstappen enjoyed a fine start when the five lights went out for the 2023 season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leading fellow front row starter Charles Leclerc into Turn 1.

With 58 laps ahead of them, the drivers were on their best behaviour for the final getaway of the year at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Lewis Hamilton causing the main drama after running wide at Turn 1 and then coming close to contact with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez – with Hamilton’s team mate George Russell passed for P4 by Lando Norris.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Leclerc, meanwhile, signalled his intent by trying to out-drag Verstappen down to Turn 9 – with the reigning champ just doing enough to stay ahead.

Enjoy the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race start in the video above.