MAX STUNS MERCEDES, WINS SEASON'S LAST GP IN ABU DHABI

 

Max lifting trophy on Podium. Image courtesy: Facebook

 

MERCEDES FAILED TO LEAD A LAP FOR FIRST TIME IN 40 RACES

Key Highlights:

·       Red Bull ended Mercedes’ run of six consecutive wins in Yes Marina
·       Maclaren beat Racing Point to take third in Constructors Championship
·       Verstappen, Bottas & Hamilton finished on the Podium together for the 13^th time

 

Max Verstappen lead every single lap of Abu Dhabi GP, dominated the whole race and at the end of the day he got his 10^th career victory.

Surprisingly Mercedes hadn’t any answer to Red Bull’s supreme speed. In this hybrid engine era, Mercedes was unbeaten for six consecutive years. Their drivers were continuously chasing Max, but they couldn’t get the reach of him.

 Red Bull’s other driver Alex Albon was so close to Hamilton at the last lap of the race, Hamilton was able to defend him and secure his 14^th Podium of the season.

Max is most talented young driver in the circuit and he is proving it again and again. He achieved eleven Podiums out of seventeen in this season, this shows his unbelievable consistency. Max is very exciting, and what makes him so special , he showed that at Yes Marina.

Max celebrating after grand win in Abu Dhabi. Image Courtesy: Instagram 

“It was really enjoyable out there today”, said Verstappen who ended this season third behind Bottas in Drivers Championship Standings, after taking his second win this season.

“We thought race pace would be really identical”, said Bottas who back at the podium after Emilia GP at the start of the November.

He added, “But they could really control the race and get the gap needed.”

Lewis Hamilton struggling because of the after effects of covid, said “ That was really hard race for me physically. “The seven time world champion is looking forward to sign up for new contract with Mercedes before Christmas.

Max, Bottas and Hamilton finished on the Podium together for 13^th time. Only Rosberg, Vettel and Hamilton had achieved more- fourteen times. That should be broken in next season.

Lando Norris finished fifth and his teammate Carlos Sainz who will drive Ferrari next season, finished sixth,  helped their team to finish third in Constructors Championship ahead of Racing Point. It is Maclaren's only second third position in nine seasons. Last time, they entered into top three in 2012.

 Perez coming out of his car after unfortunate engine failure. Image courtesy: Instagram 

Still without drive next year, Racing Point’s Sergio Perez who was driving his last drive for his team, suffered a loss of power just 10 laps into the track. He became F1's last new winner in Sakhir GP and finished fourth in Drivers Championship.

Daniel Ricciardo finished seventh on his Renault farewell. Sebastian Vettel driving his last race for Ferrari, finished 14^th behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. Kevin Magnussen, in his last probable F1 outing was 18^th for Hass.