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After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close
Last year, Max Verstappen won from the pole position, his seventh consecutive victory to end his third consecutive series championship season. (AP)
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Updated 04 December 2024

After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

After Verstappen victory, F1 finale in Abu Dhabi brings auto racing season to a close

ABU DHABI: Heading into the season finale, Verstappen has won 53 of 89 races in his championship seasons, or 59.6 percent. Verstappen can match Michael Schumacher’s record of five straight F1 season titles (2000-04) by winning again next year. Verstappen joined Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton (2017-20), Sebastian Vettel (2010-13) and Juan Manuel Fangio (1954-57) as drivers with four straight championships. Esteban Ocon, 14th in the point standings, has been released by Alpine and Jack Doohan will replace him in the season finale, making his F1 debut.

The race will take place on the Yas Marina Circuit and is 58 laps long. 

Last year, Max Verstappen won from the pole position, his seventh consecutive victory to end his third consecutive series championship season.

Verstappen, already crowned the season champion for the fourth straight year, won in Qatar for his second victory in three races and ninth of the season.


‘Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready,’ says Hamad Marhoon ahead of PFL MENA debut  

‘Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready,’ says Hamad Marhoon ahead of PFL MENA debut   
Updated 8 sec ago

‘Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready,’ says Hamad Marhoon ahead of PFL MENA debut  

‘Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready,’ says Hamad Marhoon ahead of PFL MENA debut   
  • Bahraini fighter faces Walid Gounaine in a flyweight showcase bout at Dhahran Expo on Dec. 5

DUBAI: Bahrain’s Hamad Marhoon makes his highly anticipated SmartCage professional debut at the Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar, ֱ, for the “PFL MENA Finals: All Or Nothing” on Dec. 5.

Marhoon will face fellow newcomer Walid Gounaine of Morocco in a flyweight showcase bout, and he is brimming with confidence.

“I’m ready. Whatever he’s gonna bring to the table, I’ll be ready. Up, down, anywhere. I see myself being well-prepared,” Marhoon said.

“I know that he’s a combat sambo fighter, he fought in the Moroccan championships. I think I’m ready for whatever’s gonna stand in front of me.”

Marhoon was initially scheduled to compete at the last PFL MENA event, but the fight was cancelled when his opponent failed to make weight. Marhoon is happy that he is getting another chance to showcase his skills.

“Of course, I’m grateful to have an opportunity like this. Since I was a kid, I’ve been working hard and believing in myself, and I’m ready for challenges and opportunities like this.”

Marhoon said he has been working on his grappling and ground game to counter Gounaine’s sambo skills.

“In the last camp, it was more about focusing on striking, but I was also mixing it up, with cage control,” Marhoon explained. “In this camp, we have been working more on wrestling and ground and pound.”