Season record for Hamilton

RECORD: 408 POINTS IN ONE SEASON

Five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton signed off on the Formula One season in a cloud of tyre smoke yesterday after a pole-to-flag victory in Abu Dhabi, his 11th win of the campaign.

Ferrari’s overall runner-up Sebastian Vettel finished second and also set the fastest lap, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen third in a race that also saw a rare sprinkling of desert rain.

“I am so happy right now,” said Hamilton after Hollywood actor Will Smith brought down the chequered flag at the floodlit Yas Marina circuit on the Mercedes driver’s 73rd career win.

The 33-year-old Briton, who has won 51 of the 100 races in the V6 turbo hybrid era, became the first driver to score more than 400 points in a single season with a final tally of 408.

His victory also left him 18 wins away from Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 and he celebrated on the podium by stripping down to his waist as the fizz was sprayed.

Twice world champion Fernando Alonso, in his farewell race with McLaren, had hoped to sign off in the points but finished 11th, with his final tally at 1 899.

With both championships already won – Hamilton taking his in Mexico with two races to spare and Mercedes sealing their fifth successive constructors’ and drivers’ double in Brazil – the focus was on the race and those moving on – particularly Alonso.

Hamilton, Vettel and the Spaniard spun their cars in a cloud of smoke at the end of the slowing down lap, before stepping out for hugs and words of mutual respect.

“Fernando is a true legend. It’s been a privilege to race when he is racing,” Hamilton said. “The sport will miss him and I will miss him from the sport.”

The safety car was deployed at the end of the opening lap when Nico Hulkenberg’s Renault was sent barrel-rolling before coming to rest upside down on the tyre wall after a collision.

“Get me out... There’s fire,” the German shouted over the radio.

He remained inside as marshals doused flames, finally clambering out after the Renault was turned over. – Reuters

Picture: AFP SAFE HANDS. World champion Lewis Hamilton throws his winner’s trophy up in the air as third-placed Max Verstappen looks on after the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit yesterday.