Hamilton led from lights to flag in the desert to take an 11th win of the year, holding off an early challenge from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas before finishing four seconds ahead of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.
"I am so happy right now," said an ecstatic world champion.
Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were third and fourth for Red Bull but never looked to have the pace of their rivals, despite momentarily being in contention for a win as an unexpected shower fell in Yas Marina.
Bottas struggled after a strong start to the F1 finale - the Finn, who ends the season without a victory for Mercedes, was comfortably in second for much of the race but lost three positions in four laps to Vettel, Verstappen and Ricciardo.
"I think he's just psychologically battered," said Sky F1's Martin Brundle as Bottas finished fifth.
Carlos Sainz was an impressive sixth for Renault, making the most of a DNF for Kimi Raikkonen as the 38-year-old ended his Ferrari career with an early mechanical failure.
Fernando Alonso also failed to finish on a high in what is likely to be his last F1 race, with the two-time world champion coming home in 11th and just outside the points despite a typically dogged and determined drive in his McLaren.
But the Spaniard still lapped up praise after the race, joining title rivals Hamilton and Vettel for doughnuts in front of a packed grandstand under the lights.
(Sky Sports)
No comments:
Post a Comment