Emotional send-off as legend Alonso bows out of F1
FERNANDO ALONSO bowed out with an emotional sendoff and the ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’ next on his list of targets.
As Lewis Hamilton ended his title-winning season with an 11th victory, double-worldchampion Alonso went out fighting under the lights at the Yas Marina.
In his final race for McLaren, the Spanish legend (right) made up four positions to finish 11th – just outside the points.
He also collected three penalty points and three separate five-second penalties for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in the heat of battle.
Alonso was joined on his slowing-down lap by Hamilton, his former McLaren team-mate, and Ferrari’s four-time champ Sebastian Vettel.
Together they performed tyre-smoking spins on the pit right in front of the crowd.
Alonso, who won his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006, said: “It has been a pleasure racing with these champions and
I feel privileged. Thanks to everyone and to Formula One, I will always be a fan.”
Hamilton described the 37-year-old as “a true legend” and added: “It’s been an honour and a privilege”.
Alonso will next year compete with McLaren at the Indianapolis 500 and continue in the world endurance championship with Toyota.
The target is the Triple Crown, a feat only previously achieved by the late Briton Graham Hill. Two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner Alonso has won two of the three after his triumph in the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.
He said: “I will come back maybe one day as a tourist or a commentator and enjoy Formula One in a different way.”
Nico Hulkenberg walked away without injury, despite being trapped when his Renault caught fire.
Hulkenberg’s opening-lap crash saw him somersault through the air following a collision with Romain Grosjean at the ninth bend, before landing the wrong way up against the tyre barriers.
Flames briefly billowed from the back of his yellow Renault, with Hulkenberg unable to get out.
“I’m hanging like a cow,” the panicked driver, 31, said over the radio. “Get me out. There is fire. There is fire.” Safety marshals dashed to the scene before the flames went out and flipped the German’s car back on to four wheels.
Hulkenberg, who was shaken but unharmed in the incident, said: “There was a little barbeque at the back, so I just wanted to get out. You feel pretty helpless.” ABU DHABI GP RESULT
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1h 39m 40.382s Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) ............. +2.581s Max Verstappen (Red Bull) .......... +12.706s Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) ......... +15.379s Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) ........... +47.957s Carlos Sainz (Renault) ........... +1m 12.548s Charles Leclerc (Sauber) ....... +1m 30.789s Sergio Perez (Force India) ...... +1m 31.275s Romain Grosjean (Haas) .................. +1 Lap Kevin Magnussen (Haas) ................ +1 Lap Fernando Alonso (McLaren) ............. +1 Lap Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso) ........ +1 Lap DRIVERS’ TABLE
Lewis Hamilton (GB/Mercedes) ........ 408pts Sebastian Vettel (Ger/Ferrari) ............. 320 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin/Ferrari) ................ 251 Max Verstappen (Hol/Red Bull) ........... 249 Valtteri Bottas (Fin/Mercedes) ............. 247 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus/Red Bull) ........... 170 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger/Renault) .............. 69 Sergio Perez (Mex/Force India) ............. 62 Kevin Magnussen (Den/Haas) ................. 56 Carlos Sainz (Spa/Renault) .................. 53