F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix results: Lewis Hamilton wraps up season with 73rd career victory

Five-time champion Lewis Hamilton closed down the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship season with a victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his 11th win of the season — and 73rd of his career — which equals his best wins total in a championship season.

A race that was not entirely befitting of such a tense season, Hamilton again showed his class in securing victory in Abu Dhabi. Championship runner-up Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari finsihed second and Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third.

“I’m so happy right now,” said Hamilton. “It’s been a real honor and a privilege, racing against Sebastian. I’ve known him since my Formula 3 days and he’s always been an honest, hard working racing driver and he’s always raced his heart out. He did a fantastic job this season. There’s so much pressure on us all so don’t ever look at our shortcomings as anything less than us giving our best and Sebastian, I know next year he’s going to come back strong so I have to make sure I come back with it but I’m really grateful for the good times.”

Vettel was in a more reflective mood after the race and appeared to have already switched his mindset onto 2019, a season where he will seek to again level with Hamilton on five world titles a piece.

“He’s the champion and he deserves to be the champion so yeah, it’s been a tough year but I tried everything up until the last lap,” said Vettel. “Also today I really enjoyed catching a little bit but I think he controlled the pace at the front. I would have liked to have been a little more wheel to wheel.

“A long year, a lot of races, congrats and as he said, I will try, we will try, I think our whole team will try to come back stronger to make sure we give him a harder run into next year but finals words, also well done for Fernando (Alonso). I think the last years have been very tough for him, we will be missing him so well done on his career.”

Running in his 311^th and for now anyway, final F1 Grand Prix, Alonso found himself battling for the final points position with Kevin Magnussen. Despite using Playstation tactics to cut a few chicanes and cut down the gap — a move that saw the Spaniard rack up 15-seconds of time penalties — Alonso was voted as driver of the day by fans.

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix results

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