This season’s Formula 1 final curtain will be lowered this weekend after the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at the spectacular Circuit of Yas Marina. The Driver’s and Constructor’s titles are already won by Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes but there are still some individual and collective goals at stake.

The battles that remain to be fought on the track, however, will be shadow by the fact that this will be, in all likelihood, the last F1 race for Fernando Alonso. The driver from Asturias says goodbye to Formula 1 after 17 seasons. At the same time, Kimi Raikkonen will be bidding farewell to Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull and Carlos Sainz to Renault.

On a happier note, Williams has announced that Robert Kubica will return to the competition with the Grove team in 2019.

All of this will make this twenty-first and last race of the season at the Isle of Yas a worthy watch. Let’s go!

 

Mercedes wants Bottas to win

The German team arrives at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi having achieved its fifth consecutive manufacturer and driver crowns. During the year, Lewis Hamilton has monopolized all of the team’s victories, ten in total.

Some of them, as in the case of the Russian Grand Prix, wouldn’t have been possible without the help of his partner Valtteri Bottas. The Finn driver has sacrificed himself for the success of his English team-mate and leader of the ranks, assuming his role as a docile squire.

In order to compensate Bottas for this ungrateful role, Toto Wolff wants to help him climb to the top of the podium in the United Arab Emirates. In fact, he has stated that this is his intention. It remains to be seen if the British five-time champion cooperates in the task.

History cannot be any more favourable for the Silver Arrows at the Circuit of Yas Marina. Mercedes has won there for the last four years running.

The Scandinavian driver also won in that track last season, that being his last Formula 1 triumph. Therefore, it would not be strange to see him uncork the champagne again.

He is currently fourth in the standings with 237 points, 14 less than his compatriot Kimi Raikkonen. if he wins, he could surpass him and take the third position, a worthy reason to give everything on the track. 

Bottas, however, cannot get too confident and should keep an eye on Max Verstappen, only three points below and fifth in the standings.

Ferrari hopes to finish on a high note

The Maranello team can’t wait for the season to end after having missed a golden opportunity to win the coveted crown. Their red missiles were the best cars for part of the season and they have not been able to make the most of it, particularly Sebastian Vettel. 

Next year and under pressure from the Tifosi, the Italian press and the arrival of Charles Leclerc, it will decision time regarding the future of the driver from Heppenheim with Ferrari.

The dejected German driver does not climb to the top of the podium since the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August. He surely hopes to at least close this ‘annus horribilis’ with a good performance in Abu Dhabi. He has already sealed his silver position but as Ayrton Senna used to say: “the number two is only the first among the losers”.

Meanwhile, his team-mate Kimi Raikonnen, will compete dressed in red for the last time. The ‘Iceman‘ is heading to Sauber for 2019 after having uncorked the champagne at the United States Grand Prix and climbed up the podium in 12 occasions this year.

The particular rivalry with fellow Finn Bottas is sure to be seen on the track once again in Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull says goodbye to Ricciardo

The Brackley boys will be hoping to match Mercedes’ four victories at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They won there in 2010, 2011 and 2013 when Sebastian Vettel dominated the sport with his invincible blue car.

On this occasion, they have ‘Mad’ Max Verstappen. The Dutch ‘fighter’ is on a roll in this final stretch of the season with four consecutive podiums, including the victory in Mexico. The Dutchman is one of the favorites for Sunday and will be aiming to get his third victory of the year.

Daniel Ricciardo will be driving a Red Bull for the last time after 10 years with the team. The Australian, who has suffered all kinds of incidents since announcing his surprise signing for Renault, wants to forget 2018.

His mind is on his next chapter with Renault. Pierre Gasly will be his replacement to partner with the ‘Black Tulip’.

Renault, the Constructors’ Championship, and Sainz’ departure

Another position that remains to be decided at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi is the fourth place of the Manufacturers’ title. At the moment Renault holds that position with 114 points, 24 more than Haas.

Unless the French squad suffer some sort of debacle and a miracle happens  for their American rivals, Renault will be the best of the rest (besides the big three: Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull).

Spaniard Carlos Sainz will be leaving for McLaren in 2019 after completing this season with the Enstone team. He leaves good sensations, consistency on the track and a great work ethos. It is only because of Renault’s strategy that he hasn’t had any more than 45 points or obtained his coveted 12th position.

Alonso’s (not so definitive) goodbye 

As we said at the beginning, the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will be remembered as the one where Fernando Alonso said goodbye to Formula 1. The Spaniard has got bored with the poor performance of his arthritic papaya (McLaren MCL33). However, he still longs to say goodbye to his millions of followers from within the Top Ten.

It is worth noting that out of the 62 points obtain by McLaren this season, 50 have been accrued by Alonso. The team from Woking has managed a miraculous sixth position in the standings considering the many shortcomings of the orange turtle.

After 17 seasons, the great Spanish driver leaves the F1 for a still unclear sporting future. Regarding this, ‘El Nano’ has affirmed that no doors are closed. For now, he will compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Indianapolis 500 in 2019, hoping to take the Triple Crown of Motorsports.

A hypothetical return to Formula 1 in 2020 has not been ruled out if he was offered a competitive car. The #14 from McLaren leaves behind an impressive track record with the Minardi, Renault, McLaren and Ferrari teams. In his 312 Grands Prix, he has conquered the 2005 and 2006 titles, as well as 32 wins, 22 poles, 23 fastest laps and 27 podiums.

The Woking team will be paying homage to the Spaniard with a special livery designed just for the occasion. His car will wear the commemorative colors of both the Spanish and Asturian flag. His legion of fans and the sport in general will miss a driver that has left a deep mark on the competition. An irreplaceable Formula 1 star is saying goodbye. The other seat in McLaren will be filled by Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

Main image: McLaren F1.