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 311th 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

 DriverManufacturerRace Time
1Lewis HamiltonMercedes AMG Petronas1:39:40.382
2Sebastian VettelScuderia Ferrari+2.581 secs.
3Max VerstappenAston Martin Red Bull+12.706
4Daniel RicciardoAston Martin Red Bull+15.379
5Valtteri BottasMercedes AMG Petronas+47.957
6Carlos SainzRenault Sport+1:12.548
7Charles LeclercAlfa Romeo SauberF1 Team+1:30.789
8Sergio PerezRacing Point Force India+1:31.275
9Romain GrosjeanHaas F1 Team+1 Lap
10Kevin MagnussenHaas F1 Team+1 Lap
11Fernando AlonsoMcLaren F1 Team+1 Lap
12Brendon HartleyRed Bull Toro Rosso Honda+1 Lap
13Lance StrollWilliams Martini Racing+1 Lap
14Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren F1 Team+1 Lap
15Sergey SirotkinWilliams Martini Racing+1 Lap
16Pierre GaslyRed Bull Toro Rosso HondaDNF
17Esteban OconRacing Point Force IndiaDNF
18Marcus EricssonAlfa Romeo SauberF1 TeamDNF
19Kimi RaikkonenScuderia FerrariDNF
20Nico HulkenbergRenault SportDNF

 

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