Norris on pole as McLaren lock out front row in Abu Dhabi

Lando Norris took pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri as McLaren put themselves in a perfect position to clinch their first constructors’ title since 1998. Norris headed Piastri by 0.209 seconds at the end of a gripping, topsy-turvy qualifying session at the final race of the season. Carlos Sainz took third place for Ferrari, who trail McLaren by 21 points heading into Sunday’s race with a maximum of 44 available.

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Jack Doohan to race for Alpine in Abu Dhabi as Ocon is released

Jack Doohan will replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the final grand prix of the season in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The Australian has already been signed to race for Alpine alongside Ocon’s team-mate Pierre Gasly in 2025. The move to draft in Doohan early comes as part of a deal to allow Ocon to drive for his new team Haas in the post-season test at Abu Dhabi on 10 December.

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Lance Stroll to miss pre-season testing after training accident

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is to miss this week’s pre-season test after suffering “minor injuries” in a cycling accident. The Canadian’s team have not yet decided how to cover his absence over the three days in Bahrain starting on Thursday Stroll’s injury means there is a risk he could miss the opening race weekend at the same track on 3-5 March.

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Ford and Red Bull announce new technical partnership for 2026 and beyond

Red Bull have unveiled their title-defending car for Formula 1 2023 and announced a major new engine partnership with Ford.
The Ford deal – while not kicking in until 2026 – was the headline of the launch, with the American manufacturing giant to return to F1 for the first time in 22 years to part-fund the engine Red Bull are designing for the new regulations.

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Williams name James Vowles as new team principal

Williams has appointed Mercedes’ Formula 1 strategy director James Vowles as its new team principal ahead of the 2023 season. Vowles, who has served as the motorsport strategy director for Mercedes for the past four years, takes over from Jost Capito at the Woking outfit who finished bottom of the Constructors’ standings last year.

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