Hamilton Takes Final Race of Season in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates—R.I.S.—It only could be a fitting end for Lewis Hamilton as the Briton, already a five -time world champion, took the lead on lap 35 Sunday evening at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, concluding with a 2.5 second victory over Sebastian Vettel. Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen took third.

Hamilton though in his best sportsmanship, praised not himself, but his Ferrari rival.

“It’s been a real honor and a privilege racing against Sebastian (Vettel),” he said. “I’ve known him since the F3 days and he’s always been an honest, hardworking racing driver and he’s always raced his heart out. He did a fantastic job this whole season. There’s so much pressure on us all so don’t look at our shortcomings as anything less than us giving our best. I know next year he’s going to come back strong and I’ve got to do my best to come back with it, but I’m really grateful for the good times.”

Hamilton had no difficulties once he obtained the lead and cruised to the win following an early pit stop which put him down to fifth. But Hamilton moved up thanks to others pitting, and found himself in the lead, while others behind him fought for position. Hamilton did take the lead from the start, but just as the opening lap was finishing, Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg went on the outside of the American Haas F1 Team’s Romain Grosjean, and hit the Frenchman at turn nine, flipping his car end over end, finishing upside down near the barriers. It took the marshals quick work to put out the small fire, as Hulkenberg could not get out of the car, due to the halo device blocking his escape route. Eventually, the German got out of the car, and was unhurt, enough to watch the rest of the race from the pits.

Hulkenberg was the only retirement that did not have an engine problem. The rest of the retirements, Kimi Raikkonen, Marcus Ericsson, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly all ended their evening with engine issues. Rain did appear on the track by lap 23, along with the threat of thunderstorms, but the precipitation ceased only ten laps later, and was never really a threat for the drivers to change to intermediates.

Daniel Ricciardo nearly missed out a podium place in his final drive with Red Bull, finishing fourth, while Valtteri Bottas had two times where he went off track, losing his position in his Mercedes to take fifth. Carlos Sainz, in his final drive for Renault, ended on a superb note finishing in sixth. Seventh went to Charles LeClerc in his last appearance for Sauber, while Sergio Perez finished in eighth. Grosjean took ninth, and for Haas, it was a double point finish as Kevin Magnussen completed the top ten. Fernando Alonso, in his final F1 race, finished in 11th, which will make many fans wondering if the Spaniard will ever return to this sport again.

Hamilton took the championship lead following the Austrian Grand Prix, back in July and never relinquished it. And this is what Hamilton wanted from the start of the season and he reflected it afterwards Sunday evening.

“I really wanted to end the season strong, and I think on a personal note, I was able to do that.” Hamilton added. “On the other side, the team did an exceptional job all year long, and I really wanted, race on, race off, to deliver for them and wanted to end the way that I plan to start next year. That was kind of the new psyche. So, it’s been a really strong weekend, which I’m really happy with.”

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX

At Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Final Race Results

1 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes

2 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari---+2.5 seconds behind

3 Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull Racing

4 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull Racing

5 Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes

6 Carlos Sainz Jr. (SPA) Renault

7 Charles LeClerc (MON) Sauber

8 Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India

9 Romain Grosjean (FRA) Haas F1 Team

10 Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas F1 Team

11 Fernando Alonso (SPA) McLaren

12 Brendon Hartley (NZL) Toro Rosso

13 Lance Stroll (CDN) Williams

14 Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL) McLaren

15 Sergey Sirotkin (RUS) Williams

RETIREMENTS:

16 Pierre Gasly (FRA) Toro Rosso—lap 48--engine

17 Esteban Ocon (FRA) Force India—lap 46- engine

18 Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber-lap 26- engine

19 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari- lap 7- engine

20 Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Renault—lap 1- accident