Verstappen wins finale, Vettel retires
Two-time world champion Max Verstappen claimed a recordextending 15th win this year with a “sublime” performance for Red Bull in Sunday’s tight and strategic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Sebastian Vettel headed into retirement with a point.
The 25-year-old Verstappen dominated from start to finish, but he was unable to assist his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in his bid to beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and take second place behind him in the drivers’ title championship.
Leclerc, driving with great precision and awareness, made his one-stop strategy succeed by resisting Perez, on fresher tyres after two stops, in the closing laps to confirm Ferrari finished second in the constructors’ contest as he did in the drivers.’
Verstappen’s win was a third in succession in Abu Dhabi and the 35th of his career.
His engineer came over the team radio telling the Dutch driver his twilight drive at the Yas Marina circuit had been “sublime”.
“It’s incredible to win again here,” said the Red Bull driver.
“A 15th win of the season is unbelievable. It’s been really enjoyable to work with the whole team and to be able to achieve something like this.
“I know it is going to be hard to replicate something like this, but it is also very good motivation to try and do well again next year.”
Leclerc clinched second spot after “a perfect race”.
“I knew the only way to beat ‘Checo’ [Perez] was with tyre management and strategy, so we had a one stop and it really worked,” the man from Monaco.
“I really hope next year we can do a step forward in the championship.”
Perez came third in the race and the championship.
Four-time world champion Vettel was 10th in his final race, for Aston Martin.
“I wish it would have been a couple more points,” said the retiring German driver.
“A big day, thank you for all the support and the smiling faces. I’m sure I’m going to miss more than I can imagine,” added Vettel who heads into F1’s sunset with four drivers’ world titles, 53 race wins, 57 pole positions and a chorus of tributes ringing in his ears.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who ran in third despite struggling with his Mercedes for much of the race, retired in the closing laps with hydraulics problems.
RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1hr 27min 45.914sec, 2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) at 8.771sec; 3. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) 10.093; 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 24.892; 5. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 35.888
Final standings Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (NED) 454 points (champion); 2. Charles Leclerc (MON) 308; 3. Sergio Perez (MEX) 305;
4. George Russell (GBR) 275; 5. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 246; 6. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 240; 7. Lando Norris (GBR) 122; 8. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 92; 9. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 81; 10. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 49
Constructors
1. Red Bull 759 points (champions); 2. Ferrari 554; 3. Mercedes 515; 4. Alpine-Renault 173; 5. McLarenMercedes 159; 6. Alfa Romeo 55; 7. Aston MartinMercedes 55; 8. Haas-Ferrari 37; 9. AlphaTauri-Red Bull 35; 10. Williams-Mercedes 8