The season-finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a static affair with Max Verstappen, Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton starting and finishing the 55 lap race in that order. Red Bull Honda driver Verstappen won the pole for the first time this season. “The whole year we were closing in (on pole) a little bit,” Verstappen said. When the red lights went out to start the race, Verstappen took the lead ahead of Bottas, Hamilton, Norris, Albon and Sainz. “We had a decent start,” Verstappen said, “and from there onwards I could manage the gap and could look after my tires.”. “The safety car came out at a little bit of an unfortunate time because we then had to do a very long stint on the hard,” Verstappen said. Hamilton’s 14th podium in 17 races this year raised his F1 career total podiums to 165.

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