Like a festive atmosphere on the podium in Abu Dhabi: reactions from the Top 3
The last Grand Prix of the season concluded with a victory for Lewis Hamilton ahead of Sebastian Vettel. The two men battled against each other all year, and this race in Abu Dhabi was no exception.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel haven’t let up all season! This final race in Abu Dhabi will thus have been the last duel in 2018 between the two men who together hold 9 Formula 1 World Championship titles.
Even though the battle was against the clock and not wheel-to-wheel on the Yas Marina track, Hamilton is nonetheless satisfied to have emerged victorious once again against Vettel, whom he does not fail to congratulate: “It was a true honor and privilege to race against Sebastian. I’ve known him since the F3 days, he’s an honest and hardworking driver who always pushes hard. Don’t dwell on our flaws; we always do our best. Sebastian will come back strong next year,” the Briton stated just after the finish to David Coulthard’s microphone.
More generally, Hamilton really wanted to finish the season with a victory: “I really wanted to finish the season very strong and from a personal standpoint, I knew I was capable of doing it. On the other hand, the team did a fantastic job throughout the year, and I wanted to enable them to finish the season that way, just as I intend to start the next one.”
What a way to end the season! 🏆Grateful for everything, your positive energy and being with me every step of the way. Now let’s celebrate!! 🙌🏾🍾 #StillIRise #TeamLH 📷 @f1 #repost pic.twitter.com/jNANvFP3of
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) 25 novembre 2018
Sebastian Vettel tried until the end!
With no stakes in the championship, the battle for victory was the last objective for Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari, who ultimately fell short to second place.
But the German and his team are already looking toward next season: « Our whole team will try to come back stronger to give him [Hamilton] a hard time next year. »
Vettel draws an inevitably bitter conclusion from this season, quite difficult for him: « The year was hard, but I gave it my all until the last lap. We lost the title three races ago, the gap is very large. We could have been very strong, but realistically, I don’t see any of the recent races where we could have put the car on pole and led the race. We had to climb back up, overtake, use our race pace, which is better. In the end, we weren’t fast enough. » concludes the German.
P2! #AbuDhabiGP #Seb5 pic.twitter.com/JIdFsWPRcP
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) 25 novembre 2018
Verstappen on a roll
Starting 6th on the grid, behind his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen once again reaches the podium after an aggressive race.
Something to be satisfied with for the Dutchman after his lost victory fifteen days ago in Brazil, even joking about his penalty after his altercation with Esteban Ocon: “We pitted quite early, but it was necessary because I was on Hyper softs. In the last laps, it wasn’t easy because there was a Toro Rosso leaking oil, and I was getting it on the visor of my helmet. I’m two points from third place in the championship, but at least, no need to go to the gala. It was calculated! But if it counts as community service, I’m willing to come!” the Red Bull driver mischievously says.
Very happy to finish the last race of 2018 on the podium 💪 What an incredible year it has been! Thank you @redbullracing, friends, family, partners and of course all fans for the great support 👍 #KeepPushing #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/M3fWf5ILlx
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) 25 novembre 2018
