Hamilton ends the season with a victory

As is very often the case in Abu Dhabi, the identity of the pole sitter is also that of the winner of the Grand Prix. The 2018 edition is no exception to the rule, with Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) victorious and imperial Sunday.

The five-time world champion benefited from an ideal strategy during the first rounds to win. By going into the pits for the one and only time during a neutralization, the wearer of the No. 44 lost a minimum of time in the affair and took back control as soon as his opponents had all observed their pit-stop.

His biggest rival of the year, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) finished on the second step of the podium. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) acquired third position at the cost of some great maneuvers. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) leaves the Austrian team with his head held high, with fourth place. The three men did not really worry the leader throughout the 55 laps.

For his farewell to F1, Fernando Alonso (McLaren) misses the points gate for a position. The double world champion was, however, acclaimed by the public during a series of burnouts.

The big disappointment of the day is called Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes, 5th). Starting second, he was unable to keep up with his teammate's pace. Worse, he fell in the standings with a reluctant defense against Sebastian Vettel or the two Red Bulls. 

The season finale will not remain a lasting memory for Nico Hulkenberg (Renault). The German finished his race upside down from the first kilometers! The pilot was rolled over after a fierce duel with Romain Grosjean (Haas). 

Shocked, the winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 is fortunately unscathed. As for the Frenchman, he was able to continue his journey without problem, and finished in ninth place. At Renault, however, we can celebrate, because Carlos Sainz Jr secured fourth place among the Manufacturers. The Spaniard finished sixth even though he qualified outside the top 10!

The other French people were no less varnished. A few minutes apart, Esteban Ocon (Racing Point Force India) and Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) withdrew due to mechanical problems. The Mercedes reserve driver in 2019 and the future teammate of Max Verstappen were sailing in the points. 

Find the analysis of the F1 season finale carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2193 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening in digital version and Wednesday on newsstands.

F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2018 standings:

BREED CLASSIFICATION: ABU DHABI

21 breeds = DONE

2018 = DONE #AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/XKe4BrEv9Z

- Formula 1 (@ F1) November 25, 2018