Abu Dhabi: Daniel just falls short in season finale

Daniel finishes just half a second outside the points after a late-race recovery mission nearly pays off at Yas Marina.

Race data
Abu Dhabi (Round 22 of 22), 24-26 November 2023

Yas Marina Circuit, 5.281km, 58 laps

Qualified: 15th

Finished: 11th

Laps per position: 8th (1 lap), 9th (2 laps), 10th (3 laps), 11th (7 laps), 12 (8 laps), 13th (9 laps), 14th (6 laps), 15th (7 laps), 16th (4 laps), 17th (4 laps), 18th (1 lap), 19th (6 laps)

Pit stops/tyres: Lap 7 (medium/hard), Lap 31 (hard/hard)

Fastest lap: 1min 28.571secs (11th), lap 47

Points this event: 0

Points this season: 6 (17th in world championship)

Daniel's download
“It wasn’t a bad race in terms of pace, but as soon as you get some dirty air … when we had the track to ourselves, I felt we were going OK. I felt like one more lap, I could have got a few more points. Qualifying put us on the back foot, starting so far back. We were close to Williams, but didn’t quite get seventh in the constructors’ championship. I would have been nice if I contributed but starting 15th … it was a tough one.

“My lap in qualifying just kinda felt bad – because we weren’t improving over what we did in Q1 – there were no mistakes or anything, but we were just slow after Friday looked a lot more promising. It was a shame because on Friday it looked like we were a lot better than 15th, so it was frustrating and we needed to dig into where Saturday got away from us.

“It’s been a fun year, looking back at it. A short one and a strange one with a late start, some time off I didn’t want with the hand injury once I got back and some hurdles but it’s been enjoyable still. Part of me is happy to go on a break to prepare for a full season, but I would also like to continue racing. But it’s exciting to have a proper off-season now and 100 per cent know that I want to be here and want to do it.

“As experienced as I am, you can’t underestimate a pre-season and hitting the ground running. I was happy with the few races I did … I was happy with the race pace but qualifying, some were good and some I wasn’t too happy with, so still a bit to explore with one-lap pace.

“Abu Dhabi was the last race for (team principal) Franz (Tost) – he was there when I was here the first time in 2012 and before that too, he was here from the very first day. He’s still got the same determination and will to win now as he did back then, it’s been a pleasure to race for him – twice! He’s been a constant presence at this team and a lot of what this team has become is down to Franz. Personally it was really nice to come back to the team and be here for his farewell, and the sport will miss him.

“Today, everyone was giving him a tribute and he was like ‘let’s go racing’, that’s all he wants to do. So hopefully he enjoys away from the track as much as he did on it.”

DR’s race recap
* Started 15th on medium-compound tyres, and ended lap 1 in 15th place.

* Forced to pit on lap 7 after a helmet visor tear-off got caught in a brake duct, fitted hard tyres and rejoined in 19th place.

* Ran inside the points for the first time in ninth on lap 23.

* Pitted from 12th place on lap 31, fitted hard tyres, rejoined in 18th place.

* Set his fastest lap of the race on lap 47 while running in 13th place.

* Finished in 11th place, 0.597secs behind Stroll/Aston Martin in 11th, and 56.229secs behind race-winner Verstappen/Red Bull.

DR’s next destination
Round 1, 2024: Bahrain (Bahrain International Circuit), 29 February-2 March

Bahrain in 2023: Did not compete

In F1: 11 races, 64 points, 7 points finishes, 2 DNFs

Best finish: 4th (2014, 2016)