During the weekend from Friday 23 November to Sunday 25 November 2018, the Formula 1 Circus returns to the Middle East to compete in the twenty-first and last round of the World Championship. The race will be held at the Yas Marina Circuit, which has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix continuously since 2009. The track layout, designed by German architect Hermann Tilke, measures 5554 meters and consists of 21 corners, 11 of which are left-hand and 10 to the right, but also from a long straight stretch of 1200 metres. Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton are the most successful drivers at this track, with three victories. The German achieved all his victories with Red Bull Racing, in 2009, 2010 and 2013. While the Briton won in 2011 with McLaren, 2014 and 2016 with Mercedes. The latter team holds the manufacturer record with four wins. The two victories won with Lewis Hamilton are joined by the one in 2015 with Nico Rosberg and the one in 2017 with Valtteri Bottas. Kimi Raikkonen completes the roll of honor of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with his triumph in 2012, aboard the Lotus. Since 2014, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has become the permanent venue for the last round of the world championship. Yas Marina track CEO, Al Tareq Al Ameri, is not worried that with the world titles already awarded, the event might lose interest, and points to the various upsides of keeping the race as the last round of the World Championship:
"For us, being the last round of the season is a great thing. The time window of late November is perfect as it encourages people to come here to get to know the place and all that our country has to offer. It's happened to us before in the past few years, but it's not something that caused major problems for the event. Indeed, perhaps it is also an advantage because it is possible to see some good races, with drivers who are willing to give everything to get the win. Without team orders or particular strategies".
On Thursday 22 November 2018, current Williams test driver Robert Kubica was promoted to the British team's race driver for the 2019 season, during which he will partner World Championship rookie George Russell. Kubica raced 76 grands prix in the top formula between 2006 and 2010, taking one win and twelve podiums. His career was interrupted by the accident that occurred in the Andora Rally Ronde on 6 February 2011. The deputy team principal of the British team, Claire Williams, comments enthusiastically on the news, adding that the Polish driver will also be very important for the team off the track:
"All of us at Williams have been immensely impressed by what Robert has achieved and are delighted to be able to work with a driver who has set a great example of character and tenacity to get back on track in Formula 1. This season the His commitment to the team and the work he has done behind the scenes has been constant, becoming an established and highly respected member of the entire team. It happened that he explained to me at two in the morning in an airport lounge what doesn't work in the team and what he thinks should be done to take a step forward. He has an incredible level of determination, and really embodies the Williams fighting spirit. Having the same consistency that Robert had in facing this new challenge will be a stimulus for all of us who want to go back to fighting on the front lines".
And the Polish driver is also happy about this new opportunity, but also aware of the difficulties that await him:
"It was difficult to say no, but I want to race. It amuses me that everyone has doubts about me. I have not. Today I feel ready, otherwise I wouldn't have done it. And Williams would not have hired me if they had reservations. It will be an exciting restart, the end of the desert crossing, seven years of suffering, falls, doubts, hopes, but with a happy ending because in 2019 I will be back in F1. I'll start from scratch, I'll have to get used to the new machines that I still don't fully understand. So far I've been testing with a test driver mentality. Now I'm a pilot again. At one point, over the years, when I was struggling with a thousand thoughts, I asked myself a question: what would make me happy. Run, I told myself. And here I am".
Pirelli, the sole supplier of the tyres, brings the Supersoft, Ultrasoft and Hypersoft compounds for this race. The FIA confirms two zones in which drivers can use the DRS: the first is set on the long straight between turns 7 and 8, with a detection point established before turn 7. The second zone is set between turns 10 and 11, with the detection point of the gap between drivers established after turn 9. The race represents the last appearance before retirement for Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard does not hide his emotion, but he is sure of the choice made:
"Abu Dhabi will certainly be a very exciting race for me as it will be the conclusion of 17 long and happy years in F1. The time has come for me to move on, but I am looking forward to finishing my season and my F1 career on a positive note".
Thursday 22 November 2018 Fernando Alonso presents, for this race, a celebratory helmet, just as the Woking team competes with a special livery for the Iberian's single-seater only, as confirmed by McLaren CEO Zak Brown:
"We are incredibly happy and proud to be able to use a livery dedicated to Fernando, we want his last Grand Prix to be special. We have worked closely with him and with the FIA to be able to make this change. We hope this gives Fernando's fans a little extra as they look forward to a particularly exciting weekend".
The US manager also announces that the Spanish driver will remain linked to the Woking team also in the next season, even if not in the role of starting driver in Formula 1.
"It can't be ruled out at all. We are evaluating what to do and how Fernando can help us in the short and medium term. Fernando is extremely intelligent and has a huge experience and he also loves Formula One, the tracks, the cars and the competition, this year he raced in Formula One and WEC while from next year he will focus on IndyCar. Someone like him is attentive to every little detail, technical and engineering, he's not one of those drivers who gets into a single-seater and starts driving without thinking about his surroundings. He wants to know everything and has great knowledge. Alonso remains part of the family, so I think his influence will come in handy for our two drivers. He knows Carlos quite well and he knows Lando very well. We have two race car drivers… so until we get permission to enter a third car, I think it would be difficult to put him in the team".
And Fernando Alonso himself comments with satisfaction on the continuation of the relationship with McLaren:
"I am happy that my relationship with McLaren continues with the Indy 500 and there will still be new challenges together. There are many exciting things to come and I am excited about what the future will bring. For now, I'm not ruling anything out. Now I'm fully focused on this weekend in Abu Dhabi and I'm doing my best every day".
Finally, the Spanish driver shows confidence in the team's work, convinced that the following year's single-seater will be more competitive:
"These are confidential matters within the team, of course. But we certainly took directions in this project that didn't give us the results we hoped to get. Compromises were made in the development, but they should have meet expectations in terms of performance. This did not happen, so we suffered the disadvantages without enjoying the positive aspects of these decisions. I think next year will be much better, we have learned the lesson. The 2019 car will certainly be more competitive Since July, we have been testing numerous components that will be used in the next car and I think there is the right amount of optimism about the direction that has been taken in recent months".
And adds:
"We understood what our problems were. We know that the car last season was very good in terms of chassis.We are sure of this because there are comparisons made with the GPS, we were fast in the corners. Now, we also have the awareness of why we have lost our competitiveness this year. So, in 2019, the team will be in a much better position and I'll be happy for them".
As for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, former racing driver Felipe Giaffone is appointed to play the role of assistant commissioner for the race. The Brazilian fills, for the first time, this role in Formula 1 in a race weekend. On Thursday 22 November 2018, Haas disputes that Force India - which has been racing since the Belgian Grand Prix under the new name of Racing Point Force India F1 Team - can participate in the distribution of prizes among the constructors, considering that the team has changed its name, and so he would use a car built by a different team. The sports commissioners reject the protest of Haas, which proposes an appeal to the Federation. But, subsequently, the US team decides not to continue with its action. This is the full text of the press release from the stewards:
"The previous team was no longer a competitor in the 2018 Formula 1 Championship as they had, as of 16 August, lost all rights to field two cars in any further Grands Prix in 2018. The Force India Formula 1 team has ceased to be a competitor and a constructor, as defined by the FIA, on 16 August 2018, when all its assets were sold. By then it no longer possessed the resources to meet its obligations as a competitor or builder. Starting from 23rd August Racing Point Force India was officially recognized as a constructor when the Super License was awarded by the FIA and when the Bilateral Settlement Agreement was signed".
On Friday 23 November 2018, Mercedes announces that Esteban Ocon, the current driver of Force India, will cover the role of reserve driver for the Anglo-German team for the 2019 season. The French driver will also be reserve driver for Racing Point. In this regard, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says:
"The plans are quite clear. He will be very close to Mercedes. He will be our reserve pilot and our third pilot. We hope to be able to get him to work in the tests too, both in pre-season and in-season, but it hasn't been decided yet. He will also do a lot of simulator work to make sure he's ready".
During the first free practice session on Friday, Robert Kubica will take the place of Sergej Sirotkin at Williams, while Antonio Giovinazzi will replace Charles Leclerc at Sauber. Also in the first session, Lewis Hamilton, recently confirmed as World Champion, obtains an exemption from the FIA to be able to run with the #1 on the nose, replacing his traditional #44, which however remains on the bonnet and in the official driver list registered for the championship. Changing the subject, but staying on the subject of Mercedes, James Vowles reveals the numerous problems faced with Lewis Hamilton's power unit during the last Grand Prix, underlining how these must be evaluated in view of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
"At the first pit stop, a rather significant problem emerged which required a large amount of work. We have a support group in Brixworth who we are in constant communication with and have been able to work diligently to figure out what to change to get the engine to the checkered flag. An exceptional job was done because there was a need to change a very large number of parameters, over the course of 40 or 50 laps of the race. The power unit has a certain level of damage, although we haven't been able to quantify it yet. We will have to inspect it thoroughly before taking any decision in view of Abu Dhabi".
Daniel Ricciardo is preparing to compete in the last Grand Prix with Red Bull. Emotions will not be lacking for him too and he will aim to greet the team in the best possible way on a track that he has always appreciated:
"I've always liked the track. I have not yet conquered a podium in Abu Dhabi and I would like to finally do it this year to close both the season and my adventure with Red Bull on a high note. Racing at dusk is always pleasant, the weather is good and I particularly love the third sector. Abu Dhabi marks the end of my relationship with Red Bull. I'm sure it will be exciting, especially after crossing the finish line for the last time with the team, but I will go there full of positive feelings. Let's hope this approach does me good and Sunday will allow me to splash some champagne. It would be a fitting farewell".
Looking back over the five years spent in the Anglo-Austrian team, the Australian driver indicates the first year, 2014, as the best and crucial for his growth:
"That was the biggest and most enjoyable year of my career so far. I had some great victories and then there was a good battle, tough but fair, with Alonso in Germany. He complimented me afterwards, and it was a good moment for me. In 2014 I think I not only changed my approach to racing, but I changed the overall level of overtaking in Formula 1. At the time, not many adopted this strategy, of trying to attack from a long distance away and trying to make a big overtaking manoeuvrer. Maybe they learned from me and my way of racing. I raised the level and showed the other drivers that it was possible to do it. I understand that it may seem arrogant, but I am convinced of it".
In particular, the debut in Australia gave him great confidence:
"I was in my first race with the new team, at home, it was raining and I had intermediates. I was seen as the brave young man who had made the risky choice and been right. It was decisive, he set the bar for the driver I was supposed to become".
Finally, Daniel explains how he is well aware of the difficulties of this change, but stimulated to take a further step forward in his career, without forgetting to thank Red Bull for the opportunities granted:
"I tried to come to terms with it, but you must know that I was really angry. They gave me an opportunity and without Dr Marko, who noticed me several years ago, I don't think I would have been able to get to Formula 1 and have my dream job. Change is scary, it's terrifying. And I know the next part of my journey won't always be easy, but I had to take this step to try and be the best version of myself".
Max Verstappen, like his teammate, is also happy to arrive in Abu Dhabi, both in terms of the track layout and the atmosphere that surrounds it:
"Besides being the last race of the year, Abu Dhabi is always special for its atmosphere and the fact that it is the only race held at sunset adds to the unique atmosphere. After a busy few weeks I think everyone is eager to get to Abu Dhabi. Good weather and a more relaxed feeling in the paddock brings more smiles to everyone. The track itself is fun. Passing alongside the yachts in the final sector gives you some sensations similar to the ones you get in Monaco even if the track is not so narrow".
The Dutch driver identifies the parts of the track that are most suitable for his single-seater in which to try to make a difference:
"There are some long straights that really don't play to our strengths, but we will try to make up for this disadvantage in the twisty sections. Once the race is over, the team will be able to relax a bit and enjoy a well-deserved rest for some time. Undoubtedly, before doing this we will have to carry out the tests, but in any case, on Monday I will try to rest and get some sun. Afterwards, we will work hard throughout the winter and to be ready in time for 2019".
This weekend is also the last for Red Bull before switching to Honda engines. The Dutchman confirms his confidence in the Japanese company's work and ability to progress:
"What we are saying about Honda is not a lie. We see all the numbers, but of course it also depends on the progress of our competitors. I am a realist and estimate that we will fall behind in terms of performance at the start of the season, but we will certainly do better than today. Whether that will be enough to get us involved in the fight at the top is yet to find out".
The Dutch driver also returns to the episode that saw him involved in Brazil with Esteban Ocon, trying to explain his frustration with what had happened:
"I expected an apology, but what Ocon said pissed me even more. It doesn't matter what exactly he said to me, what matters to him is that I expected an apology that didn't come. In my opinion, I reacted very calmly, you don't know what leading a race means to us. The Federation has decided to punish me with two days of socially useful activity, we'll see what I have to do. I never said I thought Ocon did it on purpose. I read it fifteen minutes ago on Twitter. But that's not true, I don't think so. I reacted by pushing him because, I repeat, I expected an apology. He doesn't seem to have had such a broken reaction, in football the pushes on the pitch are the order of the day. Sometimes it's difficult for emotions not to take over. Do not judge me".
Finally, Verstappen adds that this is an episode that is impossible to predict, and to consider in the management of a race:
"When you take the lead, you only think about saving money and managing the tyres. You don't expect a dubbed person to try to attack you. He had new tyres, ok, but after two laps I would have passed him anyway. He'd better not try to pass me. I'm sure that even if the world title had been up for grabs I would have behaved in the same way, because, I repeat, the ramming of a lapped driver is impossible to count. However, by now it is an episode that belongs to the past, I would not change anything I did".
Kimi Raikkonen will also change team after this Grand Prix, but he is still calm and relaxed, showing his gratitude for the many years spent in Ferrari:
"I'm not sad, I've already said goodbye to Ferrari in the past, then I will continue to see all my pit mates in the paddock next year. We have lived through good and bad times together, but I won a drivers' title and two constructors' titles with Ferrari and I am very happy to have been part of all this because not many drivers can boast these results. For me it was an honor to be able to contribute to this team".
The 39-year-old from Espoo currently occupies the third position in the standings, which he could confirm at the end of this race. The objective, however, does not seem to interest him particularly:
"I would be entitled to a prize, but also an extra trip to pick it up. So right now I don't know what I would prefer".
Finally, the Finn is asked about Verstappen's reaction in Brazil. But he decisively downplays what happened:
"Well it certainly gave you journalists stuff to write about. They are boys, these are things that happen".
Flavio Briatore, former team manager of the Renault world champion in 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso, greets the Spanish driver, agreeing with his choice:
"It's good to leave, but he could still come back in the future and be competitive, provided he has a car available that can give guarantees. He is 100% capable of returning and winning a World Cup. But his stop is logical, it was not possible to continue with a car like this, without being able to compete. In current F1 only two cars can make you win, Mercedes and Ferrari. F1 loses a great, a point of reference. There is no other like it: now there are kids who, if they don't wear the suit, nobody recognizes them around the paddock. F1 needs drivers like Alonso".
The Italian manager defends the choices, defined by many as wrong, in Alonso's career:
"People talk a lot… But I remind you that now there is only one winning team, Mercedes. Ferrari hasn't won since Fernando left. And there he was about to win two titles, Abu Dhabi 2010 belonged to him, but we lost it, indeed Ferrari made him lose it. Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo is like Formula 1 without Alonso".
His teammate Stoffel Vandoorne will also leave F1, with different emotions, but no less strong:
"I go to Abu Dhabi with mixed emotions. Although I spent two years as an F1 driver with McLaren, I have been with the team for five years and can call many of them my friends. I have built a great relationship with McLaren, it has been a significant part of my life. My last GP as a McLaren driver will be exciting, but it's also the right time to say goodbye to this chapter of my career. I want to leave maxed out, so we will put everything we can into maximizing our weekend and getting the most out of it. I have great memories of Abu Dhabi from my junior career and it's a really good atmosphere to race from day to night. I'm excited for the next challenge, which will start in a few weeks, but I also want to enjoy every moment in the car and with the team this weekend".
For 2019 the Belgian driver will join Mercedes as a development driver. Although he will not have a starting role in Formula 1, Vandoorne believes in this opportunity:
"It will be an interesting role for me. I am sure I will be able to contribute some new ideas and it will also be good to see the differences with McLaren who have so far been the only team I have worked with in Formula 1. Mercedes will understand exactly what my capabilities are. You never know what might happen in the future and therefore it is important to be prepared for any situation. For me it was essential to be linked to a constructor. As a result, when I had the opportunity to go to Mercedes, I didn't hesitate. At Mercedes, when they do something, they do it really well".
This will be an important race for Sauber, who are still fighting for seventh place in the standings with Racing Point Force India and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Charles Leclerc is back from a growing second half of the season and will look to help the team one last time before moving to Ferrari next season:
"I can't wait to race in Abu Dhabi. I know the circuit, very fun to drive. It is the last race of the season and the atmosphere is always fantastic. I also really like the city, it's one of my favorite destinations on the calendar. The track is quite technical and we hope to be as competitive as in the last few races".
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have already mathematically conquered both World Championships. However, the British driver also exalts the value of his opponents, and also expresses pride for the performances shown this season:
"I haven't yet stopped to think about whether this fifth title was the most beautiful or the most difficult to win, because even after Mexico I was concentrated on running up to the Constructors' title which arrived in Brazil. Surely this 2018 is in the top positions in terms of the value of the title won, the opponents have been very tough to beat and I feel I have offered my best performances since I've been racing in F1".
Finally, Lewis Hamilton dedicates a thought to his great rival Fernando Alonso:
"With Alonso there have been good moments and difficult moments, I consider it a privilege to have been able to debut in F1 alongside him. I will miss him and this sport will miss him".
Valtteri Bottas, on the other hand, draws a negative balance of his season, very difficult especially on a psychological level:
"For sure, my first year was difficult, but it's impossible to compare it to others because in 2013 in Williams we were fighting from the back. I felt I couldn't fight for my goals for a few years, but then I actually had better championships. Last year was quite different than this one. It was my debut for Mercedes and as Hamilton's partner. I remember at the end of the season I was disappointed that I didn't achieve my goals but, now, when I look back to 2017, I think at least I had won some races. So right now, I'm even more sorry than I was 12 months ago. Yes, I really think this was the worst season of my career".
In fact, according to the opinion of the Finnish driver, the episodes have often not been in his favour:
"There were some very strange races. Sometimes, things just didn't go right, and in general, I was often quite unlucky. I don't think there's much more to say… I know I was faster than last season, but in the end the only thing that really matters is having something to learn from that will make me a better person and driver in the future".
On Friday 23 November 2018, activity on the track begins with the first two free practice sessions. The sky was clear, with no risk of rain, and the air temperatures were 29 °C and the asphalt 43 °C. Max Verstappen sets the fastest time during the first session. The Dutchman leads his teammate Daniel Ricciardo by almost 0.5 seconds. The two Red Bull Racing cars are the only two single-seaters lapping with a time of less than 1'39"0, almost a second ahead of the third classified, Valtteri Bottas, who in turn precedes his teammate, Lewis Hamilton. The Ferraris end the session with times even more distant from those of the Red Bull: during the session, the Maranello team carries out aerodynamic tests with components designed for the technical rules of the 2019 season. Marcus Ericsson goes off the track at the first corner, damaging slightly his Sauber. At 5:00 p.m. the second free practice session begins, the conditions remain ideal, with 26 °C in the air, while the asphalt temperature drops to 30 °C. Valtteri Bottas is the most fast in this session and precedes the two Red Bull Racing drivers.Unlike the first session, the times of the first six drivers (the two Mercedes, the two Red Bulls and the two Ferraris) are extremely close, so much so that they are included in just 0.3 seconds.
The track conditions in this session are more similar to those during qualifying: the track is in fact more rubberized than in the first session and the asphalt temperature is lower. Valtteri Bottas lowers the time of the initial session by more than two seconds, while still using a power unit that has not yet been calibrated to maximum power. Max Verstappen, after hitting a curb at turn 20, is unable to keep the line and ends up off the track. The drivers complain about these bollards, placed on the outside of the curves. Hamilton suffers a reprimand from the marshals for having exceeded the white line that indicates the entrance to the lane from the pits, from the track. The Briton, who had passed over this line, puts the car into reverse to be able to take the pit lane. This event occurs at the end of the session, when the checkered flag has already been flown. At the end of the tests, Kimi Raikkonen did not go too far in his statements, however, highlighting progress between the two practice sessions:
"Today was a normal session, the first session was a little more complicated at the start, the second session a little easier. We are a little behind in time, but let's see how it ends tomorrow".
Also at the end of the tests, the Ferrari team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene, announced that Laurent Mekies will cover the role of sporting director starting from 2019:
"Laurent perfectly possesses all the qualities required of a sporting director, and for this reason he will cover precisely this role in 2019".
Finally, the Italian manager replies to those who criticized Sebastian Vettel's mistakes during the season, stating that the responsibility for the defeat in the world championship lies with the whole team:
"This is your opinion, what do you want me to do? What do you fire him? We started the season in really good shape. But as Sebastian admitted yesterday, he made some mistakes. And then from Monza it was Ferrari that was not a car capable of winning races, and this is a fact. I don't want to point the finger at the team or the driver. If we lose, we all lose together, if we win, we all win together".
Even in Bernie Ecclestone's opinion, responsibilities are not tied entirely to a single reason. However, after a very brilliant start to the season, this drop surprised the British manager:
"I really thought Ferrari would make it and I don't know the reasons why it got lost at some point, for no good reason. Sebastian made mistakes, the team made mistakes. A problem. On certain tracks, the Mercedes was strong. But in the end, taking stock, Ferrari had a better car".
A possible criticality, in the opinion of Bernie Ecclestone, concerns the character of Sebastian Vettel, who probably found himself in a not fully congenial environment:
"Seb was used to being loved at Red Bull. He talked to everyone, everyone talked to him. He felt comfortable in the team. I think that was not the case at Ferrari. And that deconcentrated him. It shouldn't have happened. Sebastian has shown himself to be very sensitive in his character. Strange for a German. He must be stronger inside, look at things with greater serenity. He's not a finished pilot, he's just disoriented. He has everything to recover and find himself, he would be missed".
More generally, the former owner of the Circus advises Ferrari to make sure that there are the right people in the right place:
"Michael took Ferrari on his shoulders and guided it out of the crisis. He has been a leader. Vettel is not like that. I really think so. He was a man who commanded and received respect. His presence would have given everyone more confidence to achieve the goal. They have to look closely at the team and see if the right people are in the right place. Today's Ferrari reminds me of the mid-1990s, when I convinced Todt to go to Maranello. It is a typical Italian problem. In Ferrari there are many valuable elements. We need someone to channel them and make them fruitful. I don't know who it could be, but it must be someone who speaks Italian and who is willing to stay in the factory for twenty-four hours. You don't need a councilor or someone who gives directives and then disappears".
Finally, the English manager disagrees with the decision not to confirm Kimi Raikkonen in Ferrari:
"This step backwards seems to me a pity. I would have kept it in Ferrari".
Max Verstappen closes the first day of the weekend with satisfaction and a good feeling with the car:
"The car seems to be going very well again, better than we expected, exactly as happened in Brazil. I felt positive from the start, and that usually translates into a good performance on Friday".
The off track, which occurred during FP2, was the only critical issue of the day, but the Dutch driver doesn't worry:
"Everything went smoothly until I hit the long kerb, but there was no damage so we continued with our work schedule without any problems. I don't expect these curbs to be a concern during the race, also because we shouldn't go so wide".
The Dutch Red Bull Racing driver is also satisfied with the long run impressions, and he can look forward to the rest of the weekend with optimism:
"As we have already seen during this season, we are very good at managing the tires and I expect it to be a decisive point on this track. Both the shorter and longer runs look good for our tires so I'm satisfied. A good last Friday of 2018, now it's already time to focus on qualifying".
Even the Mercedes driver, Valtteri Bottas, author of the best time in the afternoon, is happy with the result and the sensations, and sets himself an ambitious goal:
"The second session was really good. The car gave me the feeling that I can trust it completely and therefore I can drive it the way I like. In the morning it went less well, but I think this is normal on this track. I'm really happy that the car gave me the answers I was looking for in free practice two. This is because the third session is held during the day and therefore, given that it is hotter, it would be more complex to try set-up changes. It's nice to be at the top of the leaderboards, but we shouldn't rely on those things. We have to try to make the right set-up changes and also find as much performance as possible from me in my driving. For the weekend, my goal is to repeat last year's result, but there is still a lot of work to do to achieve that".
And Lewis Hamilton is of the same opinion, who seems happy with the feeling, especially with the improvements he noticed in FP2, the most indicative of the three since it takes place at the same time as qualifying and the race:
"Overall it was a good day even if the first session wasn't great. At the beginning the track was very 'green', so we slipped a lot and, like everyone else, we suffered with the tyres. There is a big difference in the asphalt temperature between the two sessions; the conditions of the second are much more representative in terms of qualifying and the race, so in this sense free practice one and three don't say much. We made some good changes during today's break and I was much happier with the car in the afternoon. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. The Red Bulls looked fast today, usually they always are in practice and in the race, so I have no doubt it will be the same this weekend too".
Mercedes chief engineering officer Andrey Shovlin explains the team's work over the two practice sessions, and provides a positive update on Hamilton's power unit:
"In free practice one we tested several elements on both cars that prefigure the development of solutions for 2019 and therefore it was a decidedly demanding session. Despite this, we also carried out the normal preparation work for the race and continued to monitor the situation with Lewis's power unit which seems to be working properly. In free practice two we did the classic program and the car was more competitive. Especially in long runs where it seems we can start from a good base. Looking at today's times, both we and Ferrari and Red Bull are all very close. During the night we will therefore have to work to try and find the starting point we are missing to place both cars on the front row for Sunday's race".
Instead, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explains how the team wanted to handle the hotly debated issue of drilled rims:
"We wanted to avoid any controversy, it was a very hot topic because Ferrari didn't like them. We had permission from the FIA to mount them, but we didn't want the championship to end in controversy and we wanted to win it on the track. We saw that the benefit wasn't huge, so we decided to leave it alone. But the championship is now decided and even if we mount them in this last race, they won't influence the outcome".
Fernando Alonso is not under any illusions. The Spaniard explains what work has been done by the McLaren team, aimed at both this weekend and the development for next year's car:
"This weekend will be tough for us, we have to be realistic. On Friday we normally go a little better, as many are hiding, and we expect qualifying to be difficult. FP1 wasn't very representative, so we took some time to experiment with a few things for next year's car development. In FP2 we focused more on this weekend, testing two types of tires and getting some useful information".
On Saturday 24 November, activity on the track begins with the third free practice session, scheduled for 2:00 p.m.. The conditions are ideal, with temperatures of 31 °C for the air and 44 °C for the asphalt. In this session Lewis Hamilton sets the fastest time, ahead of the two Ferraris. After the first three, Verstappen, Bottas and Ricciardo are classified in order. The latter had to stop his Red Bull Racing due to a mechanical problem. In the last minutes of the session, a misunderstanding caused a contact between Romain Grosjean and Pierre Gasly. Charles Leclerc damages his Sauber against the barriers at turn 19, destroying the rear wing. Kimi Räikkönen makes a similar driving error to Hamilton's, going past the entrance to the pit lane on his home lap. At 5:00 p.m. qualifying is scheduled, the sky is clear and the air temperature is 29°C, while that of the asphalt is 32 °C. Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest time, while Nico Hülkenberg, in seventh position, is just 0.2 seconds off Valtteri Bottas' time. Five minutes from the end of Q1, the eliminated drivers are Kevin Magnussen, Marcus Ericsson, Stoffel Vandoorne and the two Williams. Bottas improves his time and is very close to that of Vettel, while Hamilton sets a better time than Räikkönen. Shortly after, Ocon moved up to fourth position and Leclerc to seventh position, while Magnussen remained in thirteenth position. The drivers of Scuderia Toro Rosso, Stoffel Vandoorne and those of Williams remain eliminated.
In Q2, Hamilton immediately set a new track record, lapping in 1'35"693, with a great advantage over all the drivers. The Ferraris are in fact more than a second slower. The drivers of the top teams opt for Ultrasoft tyres, while the others use the Hypersofts.In the final part of the session Nico Hülkenberg sets the third fastest time, and Romain Grosjean the fourth.The two drivers are both overtaken in the standings by Charles Leclerc, who sets the third fastest time and continues to set the best times partial in the first part of the track. Subsequently Ocon sets the eighth fastest time, while Max Verstappen is provisionally eliminated. The Dutch driver is forced to choose Hypersoft tires and make one last attempt: in this way he qualifies for Q3, while Daniel Ricciardo saves himself from elimination by just 0.018 seconds, after slowing down on the last flying lap.Carlos Sainz Jr., Marcus Ericsson, Kevin Magnussen, Sergio Pérez and Fernando Alonso are excluded from Q3. In the final phase of qualifying Lewis Hamilton sets a time of 1'35"295, further improving the track record. The English champion laps 0.1 seconds faster than Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, while Max Verstappen is more distant, at 0.3 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton. Kimi Räikkönen is momentarily fifth. Sebastian Vettel sets the second fastest time, just 0.057 seconds slower than the British driver. With the second attempt, Lewis Hamilton sets a time of 1'34"794, distancing his team mate team, Valtteri Bottas, by 0.162 seconds. Daniel Ricciardo is fourth, while Sebastian Vettel improves his time, lapping in 1'35"125, thus obtaining the third position on the starting grid and leaving the two Mercedes on the front row. Lewis Hamilton is delighted with the pole position he has just conquered, which crowns a season in which everything went smoothly, both with the team and with his car:
"For me it was a really exciting qualifying because it's the last one with this car. The emotional roller coaster I've been through with this car has brought me closer to it than to any other car in the past. It wasn't always easy, sometimes we struggled, but it was truly a privilege to be able to work with this car and with this team. I am grateful to all the mechanics who have been with me over the past three years for their work and dedication. Also to the guys at the factory, I am grateful to everyone who worked to allow me to push this car as hard as possible, there is no better feeling. If they give me one of these cars to keep? I can't tell, it's confidential. If I said that I would have to kill you then! I am glad that this car will enter the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart. It wouldn't fit in my apartment anyway! I usually never say that there is a perfect lap. The first attempt wasn't spectacular, in the second I tried to be calmer at the beginning and to become more aggressive gradually and in the last sector I beat everyone, I really gave my all. It's not easy to go from one lap to the other like this. Valtteri did a great job too and Seb pushed a lot too so it's really a pleasure to compete with drivers like that".
Finally, the World Champion thanks the team members:
"It's great to close qualifying for the season with a double, I'm really proud of the whole team, without them I would never have been able to take eleven pole positions this year, everyone continues to work hard by raising their performance level, and the least I can do is translate all of this into great performance on the track. The boys deserve it. It's never easy to improve on the last qualifying lap, but compared to the first run I started quietly, growing more aggressive during the session. Tomorrow will be a long race and there will be pitfalls, but now I'm enjoying this pole position. I want to finish the season in the best possible way, to look forward to 2019 with serenity".
Valtteri Bottas is a bit disappointed, despite his front row placement. His goal was in fact to conquer the pole position:
"Clearly my goal was pole. I was unable to repeat last year's result. Second place wasn't quite what I expected, but still for us as a team it's good, we show top level performances as a team even if we have already won the title. We will try to score a double in the race as well, that would be fantastic. I lost time in turns 17 and 18. It was difficult for me to get that stretch completely right. He went very well and there is nothing to say. There was maybe a chance to beat him, but he did a better job".
However, the Finnish driver, like his team-mate, gives credit to the team for the great work and the great results obtained throughout the season:
"A great performance from the team, it's impressive to see that, even though we secured the constructors' title in Brazil, everyone is committing to a really high level and still happy to be here. They are really motivated. Today I was hoping to be on pole, however I think Lewis had another outstanding qualifying and personally I was not fast enough in Q3. After the first run I knew there was still room for improvement and both Lewis and I managed it, but he was better than me at putting together a full lap. In any case, I'm happy to have put in a good performance in the last stage of practice and to have been able to complete the front row for our team. The pace looked good, but Ferrari and Red Bull are close, so we will have to wait and see what happens in the race tomorrow. There are always opportunities to get ahead, so I will wait for my chance and hopefully I can take the lead".
Sebastian Vettel couldn't get close enough to the two Mercedes. However, the German driver remains confident and satisfied with what has been done so far:
"I enjoyed this session. In Q1 we were very close, in Q2 Lewis did a crazy lap on the harder tyres. I understood them that it would be difficult. In the first attempt in Q3 I did a great lap and got really close, but obviously they still had some margin. I improved, I also took advantage of the evolution of the track, but not enough to be on pole. But I'm confident for tomorrow. The race will be long and I should enjoy myself".
The Ferrari driver then underlines how rivalries on the track are limited only to competition, while relations with Hamilton and the other drivers are very good:
"The talk with Lewis? There is respect. The battle takes place on the track but I don't see why we can't talk and joke with each other outside. I had fun even if it didn't go well for me, he certainly had more fun, but I can't wait to get in the car for the last race and challenge my rivals, being able to give everything".
Finally, Sebastian Vettel identifies qualifying as a major problem for Ferrari this season:
"If we want to be honest, we took 4-5 poles, while they got 12 or 13, practically all the others. Overall, they've always been stronger than us in qualifying, while we've been better in the race on five or ten occasions, but there have been more grands prix where we were too far away. In those situations, you clearly put yourself in a position where the unexpected can happen, and I proved it firsthand".
Kimi Raikkonen also believes that Mercedes' superiority is not in question, and they are able to show it at the most opportune moments:
"It's hard to say what I expected, I think Mercedes played a little bit, but we'll see tomorrow. The car gives good sensations, but perhaps we lacked a bit of speed, especially in the third sector. I'm referring to the gap seen in the first part of the session, because in the end the margin was much bigger. We will do our best, we will start the race with Ultrasoft, like most of the best teams. We have some data on the race pace from Friday, but free practice is one thing and the race is another, where the gaps are getting smaller. My last Ferrari ride? Nothing changes, it's like any other Grand Prix".
The sensations of McLaren driver Fernando Alonso at the end of qualifying are mixed. In fact, the Spanish driver evaluates his lap positively, but the same cannot be said of the car's performance:
"It wasn't easy to get past Q1, but the lap was very positive and I'm happy to have reached the limit of the car once again. It was a perfect year in qualifying, because I don't think anyone has ever done a 21-0 and at least I can be happy with this. We had the headwind all weekend, while today at 1 we had it in our favor, but against it for the rest of the lap, so we had to adapt to the conditions. I think that to get into the points we will need help from those in front of us, because in terms of performance we are not fast enough. Usually a lot of things happen here in Abu Dhabi during the first laps and first corners. We will have to stay out of trouble at the start and be ready to take advantage of it".
While the tests of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are taking place, the arrest of the president of the Renault group, Carlos Ghosn, and the consequent change at the top of the company, casts doubts on the future of the French manufacturer in F1. Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul explains the situation, denying a possible downsizing of the program:
"It is a remarkable development for the Renault group. My message is simply that there is a continuity plan of all Groupe Renault operations, plus Nissan and Mitsubishi. Formula 1 is part of this operation. It is a well-known, highly visible project and activity that generates a lot of exposure with clear expectations on a return on investment and a contribution to the business. I think the reasons why we entered Formula 1 at the end of 2015 are still the same today: for visibility. And for the development of technology. There is no reason for those factors to suddenly disappear in the event of a change of approach that I do not want to speculate on right now. I have no indication that Thierry Bolloré is not enthusiastic about Formula 1. Again, the director of our company has a very good knowledge of what we are doing, so no teasing, no skepticism, we just focus on the facts and what that we have to deliver in terms of results. It's fair to say that Carlos Ghosn was instrumental in the decision to return to grand prix at the end of 2015, but obviously it wasn't a decision made by one man - the decision was debated at length in executive committees and was the company's . There is a clear continuity of all operations with Thierry Bolloré, who is no stranger to Formula 1 as he has been director of the team's board since 2016. So, this is where we need to focus to support Renault".
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday 25 November 2018, which includes a distance of 55 laps to be covered on the Yas Marina track, for a total of 305.355 meters, with the departure scheduled for 5:10 p.m.. The sky is clear and the temperatures are 31 °C that of the air and 33 °C that of the asphalt. At the start Lewis Hamilton maintains the lead of the race, followed by Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Räikkönen, Daniel Ricciardo and Charles Leclerc; Max Verstappen does not make an optimal start and remains only in ninth place, behind Esteban Ocon. During the first lap Nico Hülkenberg, in an attempt to overtake Romain Grosjean, closed the trajectory of the French driver, triggering contact between the tires of the two cars and causing his Renault to take off, which rose into the air and after several pirouettes fell on the barriers; the race direction decides to immediately release the Safety car and the medical car onto the track. The impact was violent and visually very spectacular, but the German driver came out unharmed, despite spending several minutes stuck inside the single-seater upside down. At the restart, the standings remain unchanged. Verstappen overtook Ocon at turn 7 but, due to the loss of engine power, the Dutch driver was quickly overtaken by Esteban Ocon and the other Force India driver, Sergio Pérez. On lap 5, the Dutch Red Bull driver overtook Pérez again, and after a long battle, on lap 6, he overtook Ocon too. Furthermore, Charles Leclerc manages to overtake Räikkönen, who, having arrived on the pit straight, has to stop due to a technical problem with his Ferrari. In this case, the race direction imposes the Virtual safety car regime. Hamilton, Leclerc and Grosjean take the opportunity to make a pit stop. When the race resumed its competitive value, Bottas was first, followed by Vettel, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Hamilton, Ocon and Pérez.
Lewis Hamilton immediately tries to overtake Max Verstappen, but the Dutch driver manages to defend his position. On lap 13 Carlos Sainz Jr. overtook Marcus Ericsson and moved up to eighth position. On lap 15 Vettel made a pit stop and put on Supersoft tyres. The German driver rejoined the track in sixth position, behind Ocon (who stopped to change tires on lap 18). During lap 16, Valtteri Bottas made a pit stop (he too was on the Supersoft tyres), while on lap 17 Max Verstappen also stopped in the pits putting on a new set of Supersoft tyres. Daniel Ricciardo momentarily climbs into first position, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr.. Subsequently, a light rain begins to fall on the track, which however does not affect the drivers' performance. Ricciardo extended his stint until lap 33, rejoining the track after the pit stop behind Verstappen, while Hamilton returned to first position. Shortly after, Bottas informs his engineers that he has some technical problems with his car, and is overtaken by Vettel. In the following laps the Mercedes driver loses another two positions, which go to the two Red Bull Racing drivers. Bottas was forced to make a second pit stop during lap 40. In the final part of the race Vettel tried to close the distance from Hamilton, who however calmly remained in command. Verstappen, in turn, is unable to close the gap to Vettel, while Ricciardo has no chance of overtaking his teammate. During lap 45 Esteban Ocon, due to a power unit failure, received instructions from his team to retire from the race, but the car stopped in the entry lane to the pits, partially blocking the roadway. During the following lap Pierre Gasly also retires. Nothing else happened and Lewis Hamilton celebrated his 73rd Grand Prix victory, ahead of Sebastian Vettel and the two Red Bull Racing cars of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. The World Champion concludes an unforgettable season in the best possible way, and at the end of the race he congratulates his opponents and thanks the team for all the work done:
"Thank you so much for the support you have given me this year. It was a real honor and a privilege to race against Sebastian, I've known him since his F3 days and he's always been an honest, hard working driver. He has always been great in the race, he has done a fantastic job all season. You must understand that there is a lot of pressure on our shoulders and you must not see our mistakes as failures, because we always try to give our best. I am sure he will come back even stronger next year and I am very grateful that I was able to fight against him. Fernando is a true legend, it was a privilege to race with him. Before arriving in F1 I admired him, he will be missed because he is not just any driver. My engineers had planned to stop us early, and I doubted the tires could last that long, but in the end their calculations were right and I have Mercedes to thank. I didn't think too much about 2019, I just wanted to finish the season strong and I was able to do that. The team did an outstanding job, I wanted to finish the way I want to start next season. It was a positive weekend, and I'm very happy about it. I understood myself better as I went along. I've been able to improve myself throughout the season, and I've never stopped trying to do it. I loved every minute behind the wheel in this last race. Apart from the tyres, which weren't in good condition, I really enjoyed driving my car".
Finally, Lewis Hamilton explains the meaning of the writing that he showed worldwide immediately after the end of the race:
"I took everything off because I wanted to show people Still I Rise, to get people to know that poem. It's dedicated to all those people who trip and fall, look at Billy Monger, he's been through a tough time, but he's come back even stronger. I have tried to be the greatest spokesperson for this poem".
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is also understandably happy, both with the win at Yes Marina and for the whole season. The Austrian manager also praises the work of the whole team:
"It feels good to win the race like this. We wanted a positive last Grand Prix, and winning the championship in Brazil helped take a huge weight off our shoulders. Really positive that we recovered after a terrible weekend in Mexico, where Lewis won his fifth world championship. We discussed it together with him and it wasn't a good time; that's why winning at Interlagos was even more important. Now that the season is over we can celebrate. We'll have a couple of drinks tonight thinking about what we've done this year, then we'll focus on the new championship. The team did a terrific job behind the scenes: we had some difficult moments to digest, but we were able to learn from them and move forward with more motivation. This year we have had a great fight with Ferrari, but Red Bull has also integrated well and especially in the last few races we have had six cars capable of winning. That's why the show on the track has increased, as well as the television audience".
In view of next season, the regulatory change does not worry the Mercedes team principal, as he is very confident in his team's abilities:
"As at the end of 2016, the regulatory change is an all-round challenge for us. The single-seaters will have less downforce, but we have qualified personnel to give the drivers a competitive vehicle".
Sebastian Vettel closes the season in a positive way, without however ever being able to worry Lewis Hamilton. The German pilot dedicates a thought to both the World Champion and Fernando Alonso, who has reached his last race in his career:
"Lewis is champion, and he deserves to be. It was a difficult year, I gave everything up until today's last lap. I had fun because I was recovering a bit lap after lap, but he was controlling the pace. I would have liked to finish wheel to wheel, but it has been a long season, with lots of races. Congratulations and as he said, I will try again, and we will all try again as a team. We will try to come back even stronger to give even more trouble. I would also like to congratulate Fernando, the last few years have been very tough for him, we missed him and we will miss him. Congratulations on his career. I think today's race is a perfect synthesis of the whole season: ups and downs, close at the end, but not close enough. Today I tried to fight with all my strength, but it was difficult when I was behind Valtteri. I think I was a little faster than him but it was difficult to get close, especially in the last sector, until he had problems and I was able to pass him. We were fast on the straight and had good pace, but we were struggling in the third sector to keep pace, especially in the last two corners. At one point I even hoped to be able to win the race, I was pushing hard, but in the end it wasn't enough".
Finally, the Ferrari driver takes stock of the entire season, both on what worked and on what we will aim to improve in view of next season:
"It has been a very intense year and I think we have to look at ourselves, there are many things we can improve and the potential of this team is still huge. I think, with the year I've had, I don't think I've ever had a problem raising my hand when I've made a mistake. Knowing, as a racing driver, how quickly things could have gone differently this year, I think yes, I'll need to revise a couple of things, but there are others that have gone wrong that I don't need much revision for either. to overcomplicate things. I think I know what I have to do. Sure, looking back here and there I haven't been at the top of my level so… first I look at myself, I think I can be better than I've been at times this year. Having said that, I think we have had many races where we have pulled everything out of the car and the package and where I feel we have done everything possible. I was happy with that but yeah that's the way it is, sometimes you like racing and other times you hate racing. Like I said, I need some time to wrap things up. It's a bit like skiing: maybe you learn something overnight before hitting the slopes again. I think we have some time to digest and analyze. I've always tried to improve things, I don't think I have to change them completely, but I can definitely adapt and get stronger".
Max Verstappen's race was by no means simple or linear. The Dutch Red Bull driver is satisfied with having overcome the difficulties that arose, managing to conquer a place on the podium:
"It wasn't an easy race, I had some problems at the start. The sprint was good, but the engine went into safety mapping, a problem that recurred later in the race. It wasn't easy, but we recovered a good position, putting pressure on those in front of us. I think we stopped early, but we had to for strategic reasons. It wasn't easy in the final laps, with the Toro Rosso leaking oil. I took it all on the helmet and I didn't see what was happening. But I'm happy with third place".
Fernando Alonso concludes his last Grand Prix of his career, and is visibly very excited:
"It was great to see all these champions, compete with them. I feel privileged. Thanks for everything, thanks to F1 I will always be a fan of this show. I was surprised by the final parade because it wasn't planned. I found them in turn 8 making donuts, then I found myself with a car on the left and one on the right that didn't move, and I said to myself: 'they will certainly accompany me to the finish line'. It was nice for them, I have a lot of respect, they are great champions. We have had some very strong battles, but they are always top drivers, so I feel privileged to have driven in the era where Lewis and Sebastian also raced. Will I feel a little empty? Yes, I think I will need a few days. I haven't had much free time to tell the truth this weekend, both yesterday and today. I know I have hundreds of messages on my phone, but every time I sit down they tell me I have to see a new person and so it has been a very busy weekend. Maybe, in a few days, I will understand all the things that both Formula 1 and the teams have done for me and these are really very welcome. Sometimes, engineers get excited about a point. I think in general it's been nice to be able to show yourself as you are, both for better and for worse. I'm always a driver who does his best, sincere and who fought again today with the two Haas for the last point. I hope to do many things outside of Formula 1 and see Formula 1 from the outside. Thank you all".
The Spanish driver then shows himself proud and happy with the affection he received this weekend, but also more generally throughout his career:
"I am certainly very proud and happy to be a symbol for my country. Spain is an incredible sporting nation and in Formula 1 we have always lacked drivers and victories. Thanks to Marc and Pedro at the beginning and then with my arrival, Spain has also become strong in Formula 1. I'm very happy about it. All this affection for me was a surprise. I have seen great champions retire: Michael (Schumacher ed) in 2006, Button later on, but what was done this weekend is much more than I expected and so I thank Formula 1, my team, the fans, the journalists and everyone in general because it was really unexpected and very surprising. See you".
Kimi Raikkonen ends his experience in Ferrari with a retirement after a few laps. However, this does not take away the smile from the Finnish driver, who recalls with pleasure the many years spent in the team, in particular the World Championships won by him and by the team during his first period in Ferrari between 2007 and 2009:
"Thank you all, there have been good times, bad times, but they have always been good times to live. I would have liked to finish better, but unfortunately this is sometimes part of our sport. We all have fond memories of the championship I won here and won twice with the team and that will stay forever. We've always had tremendous support and I'm really grateful for everything they've given me".
The Finnish driver, however, is already looking to the near future, hoping to be able to test the Sauber in the next few days and be able to prepare immediately for next season with his new team:
"Obviously I hope to be able to do this test with Sauber to understand what this car will be like, which is different. I'll be in a different team and so we have to watch a bit. Clearly, the tires may be different next year as well, so it will be important".
The race wasn't the best for Valtteri Bottas either. The Finnish driver was involved in a contact with Max Verstappen, and a consequent slow puncture compromised his race:
"I had a lockup in Turn 5, and then in Turn 8 and Max came up to me. I don't know why honestly, but the team warned me that we had a problem, but I didn't know what they were referring to and then I touched with Verstappen. In the contact there was a slow puncture, and in the end that's how it went".
The Mercedes driver wants to dismiss a difficult race as soon as possible, in an equally difficult season:
"I just want to have some free time to think about a few things. It's been a tough year mentally, so I need to take a break".
Pierre Gasly's race was no better, at least as far as the final result is concerned. However, the French driver of Scuderia Toro Rosso is happy with his performance both in this race and during the season, thanking the team on the day of his last race before moving on to Red Bull Racing for 2019:
"It was a difficult weekend for us between qualifying and the race: a few laps from the end we had a problem with smoke starting to come out of the car. I don't know exactly what happened, but up until then I had a really fun race, even managing to fight for the points. I was a bit emotional because this was my last race for Toro Rosso, even though I finished the season in the worst possible way and was aiming for a good finish. Overall it was a positive championship for me, I really enjoyed working with the guys in the team and I will remember the good weekends we had together. I am excited to start a new chapter with Red Bull next year, although I will miss this team, made up of fantastic people who have a lot of passion for what they do. It was a real pleasure to work with them".
Charles Leclerc greets Alfa Romeo Sauber by finishing the race in the top ten, but the Monegasque is still not completely happy with the race. In any case, his overall balance is more than positive:
"The start went well, it was very good. After pity about the strategy, sometimes it happens. In one year they made all the right strategies. For the last race I was hoping for more, but I'm very happy nonetheless, I could never thank Alfa Romeo Sauber enough for everything they taught me in this first year and I couldn't hope for better as a team. I'm angry because I was hoping for an incredible last race. The first part was still very good, after that it was a shame because we were in a difficult situation with the Hypersofts during the VSC. But sometimes it happens, that's how it is. I am however very happy. I can't wait to get into the all-red car this time, it will be exciting".
Lewis Hamilton ends the season as World Champion for the fifth time in his career, with 408 points. This represents a new record for a driver in the history of the World Championship, ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. The Finnish Ferrari driver maintains third position in the standings with only 2 points more than Max Verstappen, despite his retirement in this last race. The Dutch Red Bull driver surpasses Valtteri Bottas in the standings, thanks to the podium conquered in this race. In the standings of the Constructors' World Championship there are no changes of position: Mercedes is confirmed as World Champion, ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. Renault maintains fourth position ahead of Haas, which also achieves its best result in the World Championship. The Formula 1 circus will now stop over the winter to better prepare for the 2019 season, which will begin with two four-day pre-season test sessions, both to be held at the Circuit de Catalunya. The first will take place from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 February 2019, the second from Tuesday 26 February to Friday 1 March 2019. The first Grand Prix of the new season will instead be scheduled for Sunday 17 March 2019 in Australia, on the Albert circuit Park, Melbourne.