Ten of the best pictures which tell the story of the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.
Lewis Hamilton
Has an F1 car ever run with two numbers at different ends before? Lewis Hamilton continues to break new ground.
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo modified his helmet design for his final race for Red Bull.
“I gave some wings to the honey badger and he’s drinking a Red Bull,” he explained. “Kind of symbolising I’m going to use the wings they gave me to take off and go on my next journey. I’ll still keep Red Bull close to me, it’s been a big part of me.”
Robert Kubica
Robert Kubica’s fans had plenty to celebrate – Williams confirmed he will return to racing for them next year.
Kimi Raikkonen
There was little to celebrate in Kimi Raikkonen’s last race for Ferrari. He dropped out after seven laps with an electrical failure on his Ferrari.
Drivers
The drivers assembled for their traditional end-of-season photograph.
Will Smith
Actor Will Smith played a very visible role in proceedings.
Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon were at it again – though this time it was over position.
Fernando Alonso
There were no points for Fernando Alonso in his final race, but a career which included 32 wins and two world championships deserved to end with some celebratory doughnuts.
Daniel Ricciardo
Ricciardo narrowly missed out on scoring his first podium finish since Monaco in his final outing for Red Bull.
Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Hamilton stripped off on the podium to celebrate his 11th win of the year – and draw attention to his ‘Still I Rise’ tattoo.
Jere (@jerejj)
27th November 2018, 12:29
The image of Will Smith waving the UAE flag on the grid ahead of the formation lap, though, it reminded me of Usain Bolt at COTA ’17 to an extent.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
27th November 2018, 12:43
@jerejj Yep I thought exactly the same. I have to say I think it’s terribly naff. I understand why they want the celebrities in there, but they’ve got to find a less obtrusive way of integrating them into the show. The constant cut-aways to Smith messing around with a TV camera were cringeworthy.
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
27th November 2018, 14:16
@keithcollantine
Not as cringeworthy as his radiomessage to lewis in Mexico though
Garns (@)
27th November 2018, 12:45
@jerejj
I know is the sun & angle, but look at the one of the drivers, looks like Leclerc is having a baby LOL.
I didn’t like Will Smith giving Lewis the congrats after his title, but he was funny this weekend. The “abducted Lewis” clip was very funny!!
Jere (@jerejj)
27th November 2018, 14:09
@garns Yes, I’ve now noticed it as well. Good catch, LOL. The angle of the Sun and or its closeness to the Horizon can sometimes make things look a bit weird.
@keithcollantine Indeed.
Phylyp (@phylyp)
27th November 2018, 14:24
@garns – so now you know how I’d look in a race suit :-)
MrBoerns (@mrboerns)
27th November 2018, 14:23
Does anyone know wether the whole donuts thing was planned? Max going straight in the pits made me wonder…
And if it was, was Räikkönen supposed to them, as that would have been all active WDCs United for a sendoff…?
Chaitanya
27th November 2018, 14:42
That send off to Alonso on track was really good. He will be missed.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
27th November 2018, 16:33
It was a very special moment – the 3 cars getting in formation with Alonso in the middle has to be one of the most iconic moments of the season. No one could give a proper send off for Alonso other than Hamilton and Vettel driving their Mercedes and Ferrari cars. Talent and excellence bidding farewell to a very special champion.
BMF66
27th November 2018, 17:27
Lots of cheese. Will Smith and Hamilton topless. Vomit.