Hamilton can sign off in style

LEWIS Hamilton will be making a milestone 250th Formula One start as he seeks to sign off his championship-winning campaign in style in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi season-ender.

The Briton, who became only the second driver to win a sixth title at the US Grand Prix earlier this month, is already the most successful driver at the floodlit Yas Marina track with four wins. Another triumph in the dusk-tonight race would be a perfect finale for the 34-year-old, who can expect a more hard-fought battle next year from a younger generation hungry for the limelight.

“It’s inevitable that the youngsters are going to come through,” Hamilton said after the last race in Brazil, where he finished third but ended up seventh after a post-race penalty for tangling with Red Bull’s Thai rookie Alexander Albon.

The average age of the top three at Interlagos – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Spaniard Carlos Sainz – was 23 years, eight months and 23 days and the sport’s youngest podium yet.

“I feel like I’m able to still kick it with these guys, and so I’m excited for the future,” said Hamilton, who can also equal his own record of 33 successive points finishes on Sunday.

“Hopefully next year we’re going to have a serious three-way, four-way battle, and that’s great for Formula One.”

Hamilton has won half of the season’s 20 races so far, propelling his team to an unprecedented sixth successive title double, but Brazil was a disappointing weekend, with Valtteri Bottas retiring.

“The underperformance in Brazil means we head to Abu Dhabi with a point to prove,” said team boss Toto Wolff.

Ferrari’s 22-year-old Charles Leclerc has made his mark since the August break, winning twice and is set to end the season as the driver with most pole positions (seven so far).