25/11/2018
NEWS STORY
In previous years, having secured the title, Lewis Hamilton has tended to go into 'party mode' a lot sooner than his team wished.
This time however, it's different.
Despite wrapping up the title in Mexico, though in all reality it was already a foregone conclusion, the Briton has shown no sign of easing off.
Indeed, pole position and a (somewhat fortuitous) win in Brazil suggested the Briton was keen to make a point, in qualifying yesterday he rammed that point home.
Surely, as he closes on Michael Schumacher's record of seven titles, it is no coincidence that Hamilton displays the same ruthless, remorseless need to crush his opponents into dust as the German.
During FP3, Q2 and again in Q3, it wasn't the pace of anyone else that he enquired about, only title rival Sebastian Vettel, the Stevenage Rocket clearly out to prove a point.
Whatever one might think of some of his antics outside the car - not least the excruciating 'Oscar-like' speech after every pole and win - of which there are many - fact is, Lewis is a fantastic racer.
While the romantic in us all - that part so delighted to see Robert Kubica back on the grid next season - would surely like to see Valtteri Bottas take victory today, it is unlikely that it will happen, even though the Yas Marina shares many characteristics with Sochi where he was effectively robbed of his first win of the season.
Hamilton is on fire, and much like the sport's other greats, he has every right to take the opportunity this afternoon to destroy the pretenders to his throne.
Then again, talking of romantics, how about a final Ferrari win for Kimi, or indeed Daniel, a podium for Fernando, or Esteban, a decent handful of points for Sergey, Marcus, Brendon or Stoffel.
Then again, with the way Chase and the gang are mapping out the future of the sport, perhaps we should keep quite lest the stage management go that one bit further.
Talking of Sebastian Vettel, for us at Pitpass, it was at Monza where it all began to wrong, though Germany was an obvious set-back.
Maybe it's us, but we cannot help but feel that the German has lost his appetite, and though he may well prove us wrong and remain in the sport next season, should the pressure from the other side of the garage prove as stiff as expected, Seb might well opt to call it a day then. Yesterday's performance from Charles Leclerc was clearly a warning.
Whoever wins however, much of today is going to be about Fernando Alonso, who heads off to pastures new, including a return to Indianapolis, but who admits; to paraphrase Arnie... "I could be back..."
How ironic that he bids farewell to F1 here in Abu Dhabi, the circuit where he effectively lost a(nother) title by failing to pass Vitaly Petrov.
Though it would be lost on him, among many F1 fans Alonso is like Marmite, you either like him or you don't. However, political chicanery aside, nobody can doubt his ability to drive a racing car, hard, something evident back in his early days with Minardi.
A warrior, a Samurai, a fighter, and one of the sport's true characters. Two titles doesn't do him justice... then again, there's Sir Stirling.
As for the race itself - finally, you cry - of the leaders, only Max Verstappen starts on the hypers, having failed to post a decent Q2 time on ultras. At the same time, Vettel has managed to keep a brand new set of the pink-banded rubber for the final part of the race.
Both Mercedes drivers want to win, while Vettel would surely like to close the gap to his nemesis. Ahead of what Red Bull clearly hopes will be a lean spell at Renault, Ricciardo would surely like to sign off in style, especially as this is his 100th outing for the Austrian team.
And then there's Max.
Still smarting from Brazil, not to mention fearing what he faces in terms of that community service - the Dutchman starts behind his teammate - and the Mercedes and Ferraris - on the softest rubber and just a couple of places ahead of a certain Mr Ocon. The possibilities are endless, as Lou wrote.
As for the midfield, well, take your pick from Haas, Sauber, Force India and Renault, though, following a poor qualifying, Toro Rosso could yet play a part.
As ever it will be about surviving the first lap... yes, we mean you, Romain, Esteban, Sergio, Kevin, Marcus... And let's not forget a certain Mr Alonso starting from 15th.
According to Pirelli the fastest strategy is a one-stopper, with a stint on ultrasofts for 18 to 22 laps, then supersofts to the flag. Second-fastest strategy is another one-stopper, featuring a stint on hypersofts for 8 to 12 laps, then supersofts to the flag. However, a two-stopper is also possible. This would involve a stint on hypersofts for 5 to 8 laps, then two stints on ultrasofts of 22 to 25 laps each. A bit slower is to start on ultrasofts for 27 to 30 laps, then hypersofts to the flag. Last year, only one driver opted for a two-stop strategy... it was Lance Stroll, and he finished last.
The pitlane opens, and one by one the drivers head out.
"My seat's broken," reports Stroll. "The right lip of the seat on my hips," he adds.
Meanwhile, "My drink tube is a bit too forward so I need a longer one," says Verstappen.
As the cars head off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 32.9 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35.5 degrees.
Believe it or not, Vandoorne is told there is a 40% chance of some rain at some point in the race. "You are very optimistic," the youngster replies. However, race control subsequently confirms the warning.
"Thank you," says Ricciardo to his team, "let's ******* have it... ha ha," he adds.
Ultras for Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Sainz, Perez, Alonso and Hartley. Ericsson, Magnussen, Gasly, Vandoorne Sirotkin and Stroll start on supers, while Verstappen, Grosjean, Leclerc, Ocon and Hulkenberg are on hypers.
They're away. Good starts by Hamilton and Bottas, while Perez is making up lots of ground further back. Into T1, the Mercedes are ahead of the Ferraris, while Grosjean and Alonso run wide, both kicking up a cloud of dust.
Grosjean and Alonso both loses places in the process, the Frenchman now under attack from Ocon and Hulkenberg, with Verstappen, who got off the line well but then began to lose ground, is behind.
Leclerc is all over Ricciardo, while Ocon and Hulkenberg look to be going either side off a struggling Grosjean at the hairpin (T7). Just behind, Sainz runs wide as he battles Perez.
Leclerc and Ricciardo are wheel to wheel, the Red Bull sending the customary shower of sparks into the air. As they battle for position, just behind there is a massive accident as Hulkenberg barrel rolls towards the barriers. It finally comes to rest, upside down against the barriers.
The safety car is deployed as the stunned faces in the Renault garage tell you all you need to know.
"Are you OK Nico," the German is asked. "****," he replies. "I'm hanging here like a cow, and there is fire, there is fire," he adds. "It's alright, they're coming," he is told.
"Is he OK," Asks a worried Grosjean.
After an agonising wait, the car is righted and Hulkenberg emerges.
Replay reveals that Hulkenberg clipped the front-left wheel on Grosjean's car with his own right-rear as they battled for seventh.
At the end of the opening lap, it's: Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Raikkonen, Leclerc, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Ocon, Verstappen and Perez. Hartley pits.
Needless to say, the incident is being investigated. However, moments later the stewards say that no further action is needed.
The safety car is withdrawn at the end of lap 4, as the stewards note that Sainz and Ericsson left the track and gained an advantage on the opening lap.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Yas Marina, here.
At the re-start, Vettel is almost caught off guard by his teammate. Meanwhile, the Panthers are battling, with Verstappen right behind.
As he passes Perez, the Dutchman reports that he's losing engine power.
"When you can, C3 Fail," Verstappen is told, "C3 Fail." As if that isn't enough his next target is Ocon. The youngster barges his way past the Force India, giving the pink car a nudge, but the Frenchman quickly retakes the position. However, the Red Bull subsequently re-passes the Force India, it's personal.
The VSC is deployed as Raikkonen parks up on the pit straight. A sad end to his Ferrari career.
"What's happening, I don't have power, the whole car has just shut down" he reports.
The Finn's retirement, promotes Leclerc to fourth.
Hamilton and Leclerc are among those to take advantage of the VSC, Sirotkin and Grosjean also.
Consequently, after 7 laps, Bottas leads Vettel, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Hamilton, Ocon and Perez. Leclerc has dropped to 14th.
Hamilton is minded that he is "going to the end".
The VSC withdrawn, Hamilton makes short work of Verstappen. However, the Dutchman, courtesy of DRS, re-takes the position and then slams the door firmly in the Briton's face.
Lap 9 sees Ricciardo post a new fastest lap (43.861).
A replay from lap 4 shows Hartley clouting the barriers but seemingly getting away with it.
Lap 10 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (44.045).
At which point the live timing fails.
As Hamilton closes on Verstappen, the Dutchman appears to be losing time behind his Red Bull teammate.
Sainz makes a great move on Ericsson for 8th.
Lap 14 sees a new fastest lap from the race leader (Bottas) as he stops the clock at 44.579.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 15, it's a poor, slow stop however that sees the German rejoining in 6th behind Ocon on the supers. He makes short work of the Force India and sets about closing the 15.8s gap to Hamilton.
Next time around Bottas pits, also switching to supers he rejoins in fourth behind his Mercedes teammate.
Consequently, after 16 laps, Ricciardo now leads his Red Bull teammate, but both have still to stop.
That said, at the end of lap 17, Verstappen pits. Switching to supers also he rejoins in 5th, ahead of Perez, Ocon, Sainz, Ericsson and Gasly.
On fresh rubber, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (43.602).
Following that early stop, Leclerc is still down in 12th, 1.8s behind Alonso.
Ocon pits at the end of lap 18, rejoining in 18th.
"Expect Ricciardo to go long," Hamilton is told, as the Australian is advised that "everyone ahead has pitted. You know the plan now, keep pushing."
Ericsson suspects he has damage, but the team doesn't agree with him, insisting that his times are competitive.
Asked about his tyres, Ricciardo replies that all is well. "Fairly consistent, I can hold this," he says.
Hamilton is told that there could be rain in the latter stages of the race, and that if it comes it will be on the main straight.
"You might see a drop of rain in five minutes," Ericsson is told. At which point the radar shows rain just 12 miles away.
At which pint the cameras actually pick up on a number of rain drops falling on the pit straight grand stand. You can literally count the drops.
"It's very hot in the car," reports Hamilton.
"You might have noticed but there are some drops of rain," Ricciardo is told. "They shouldn't wet the track, it's no concern for us." Teammate Verstappen reports that it is "raining on the back straight".
A mistake by Sirotkin allows Hartley through, the pair battling for 17th.
Ericsson clearly has a problem, he slows and is passed by a number of cars. "There's no power at all," he reports, subsequently parking his car.
Man on a mission, Leclerc passes Alonso for ninth.
Perez pits at the end of lap 26, the Mexican rejoining in 11th, behind Magnussen and ahead of Stroll.
Vandoorne having a great scrap with Grosjean for 14th, though this isn't where the Frenchman expected to be this afternoon.
Alonso pits at the end of lap 27, the Spaniard rejoining in 17th.
"My tyres definitely don't feel great," reports Hamilton who is 2.7s down on race leader Ricciardo.
Vettel reports that it's "quite gusty at the moment", the German posting a new fastest lap (43.017) as he seeks to close the 1.4s gap to Bottas.
Gasly pits at the end of lap 29, rejoining in 16th.
Vandoorne, Ocon and Grosjean are three abreast as they battle for 11th, the McLaren driver coming out best after a great piece of driving. Too little, too late?
"Mega job, mega," Vandoorne is told. And so it was.
However, when Ocon sets about retaking the place a couple of laps later, the McLaren is no match for the Force India, a situation not helped by the fact that Vandoorne has yet to pit.
The Belgian is subsequently passed by Grosjean also. Elsewhere, Alonso passes Sirotkin for 16th.
Out front, after 32 laps (of 55), Ricciardo leads, but the Australian pits and switching to supers rejoins in fifth, 8.2s behind his teammate.
The stewards are to investigate Ocon for leaving the track and gaining an advantage during his battle with Vandoorne. The Frenchman is subsequently handed a 5s time penalty.
As Vettel attacks Bottas following a mistake by the Finn in T5, Gasly passes Vandoorne only for the McLaren driver to promptly re-take the position. Vettel passes the Mercedes to take second.
Onboard suggests Bottas may in fact have an issue, as now Verstappen is closing in for the kill. Indeed, as Ricciardo posts a new fastest lap (41.249), Bottas has another lock-up.
"You took 2.7s out of Verstappen, he's fighting with Bottas so you can join the party," Ricciardo is told. "Tyre wear is not a concern, so you can get stuck in."
Sainz pits at the end of lap 37, the Spaniard rejoining in sixth.
As Bottas struggles, Verstappen sells the Finn a perfect dummy and is through to take third, despite a heft coming together. As the camera cuts to applause in the Red Bull garage, Ricciardo closes on the Mercedes. Courtesy of DRS, and a large pair of *****, Ricciardo passes Bottas. The Finn mounts a brief come back but to no avail.
"Lovely," Verstappen is told of his move. "He didn't see me," comes the reply.
Vettel is now 5.7s down on race leader Hamilton, with Verstappen 4.8s behind. Ricciardo is 3.5s behind the Dutchman, ahead of Bottas, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Magnussen and Ocon.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Yas Marina, here.
Bottas makes another stop at the end of lap 40, rejoining in fifth. Stroll also pits.
"We pitted because we saw something with the right-rear after the contact," Bottas is told.
On fresh rubber, Bottas posts a new fastest lap (40.953).
"Keep an eye on Max," Hamilton is told, "he's on new tyres, don't do anything stupid." The Dutchman is 7.9s behind the Briton, with Vettel between the pair. And let's not forget that Ricciardo is 1.8s behind Verstappen.
Ocon's race comes to an end as he reports smoke from the rear, after which, moments later, he reports: "I lost all power". Indeed, he makes it into the pitlane entrance before grinding to a halt.
More drama, as Gasly clearly has an engine issue, smoke billowing from the rear of the Toro Rosso. Just behind is Verstappen who might be getting a portent of what is to come.
Despite the obvious issue, Gasly continues at a fair rate of knots before eventually being told firmly to stop.
"Check, check if there is fire behind, check if there is fire behind," shouts Gasly as his car is pushed to safety.
All of which means that both Haas drivers are in the points, with Alonso in eleventh.
With 5 laps remaining, Hamilton leads Vettel by 4.5s, with Verstappen a further 4s behind and Ricciardo 2s. Bottas is fifth, ahead of Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Grosjean and Magnussen.
"Mate listen, listen, I've got engine braking!" shouts Verstappen at his engineer, however, the youngster is put firmly in his place.
Enquiring about the fastest lap, Alonso is told that there is point up for grabs. He replies, "I've got 1,800 points". "Well make it, 1,801," he is told.
The Spaniard subsequently goes quickest in the second sector, but is shown to have cut the chicane.
With three laps remaining, the top four appear to have settled for position, the gaps actually widening rather than closing.
Not so for Perez however, who is closing in on Leclerc. "Use the overtake button to defend," the Sauber driver is told.
Alonso gets a 5s time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Twice.
Vettel posts a new fastest lap (40.867). But why?
Hamilton takes the flag, with Vettel second, ahead of Verstappen, Ricciardo, Bottas, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Grosjean and Magnussen.
Alonso is eleventh, ahead of Hartley, Stroll, Vandoorne and Sirotkin.
Alonso is handed a second time penalty, for... well, you know what. And then a third!
As Christian Horner pays tribute to Ricciardo, Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel run three abreast on a victory lap at the end of which they perform donuts on the pit straight.
The crowd cheers.
Alonso joins Hamilton and Vettel for the post-race interviews, both pay tribute to the Spaniard.
Meanwhile, it appears that having finished third in the standings, Kimi will have to attend the FIA Gala after all.
A convincing win for the world champion, and while the talk on the pit straight is about the challenge of next season, one has to wonder if Ferrari, Red Bull or Honda have what is needed to topple the Briton and his German team.
As Niki Lauda made clear in his video the other day, the German team is targeting its sixth titles, and who would bet against them?
Check out our Sunday gallery from Yas Marina, here.