Vettel brings a small farewell gift - Verstappen wins

Created: 2022-11-20 15:46

Sebastian Vettel ended his Formula 1 career in Abu Dhabi in tenth place.

© Hasan Bratic/dpa

end with emotions.

After the 299th Formula 1 race, it's over.

Sebastian Vettel says goodbye to Abu Dhabi in tenth place at the end of his career.

Charles Leclerc takes the vice World Cup.

Abu Dhabi – In his emotional Formula 1 finale, a doggedly fighting Sebastian Vettel made at least a small farewell gift.

In front of the glittering backdrop of Abu Dhabi, the four-time world champion worked his way into the points for the last time in tenth place at champion Max Verstappen's 15th win of the season.

Under the glistening floodlights of the Yas Marina Circuit, Vettel contested his 299th and last Grand Prix - and once again showed his entire passion for racing with some criticism of strategy.

Behind the sovereign Verstappen, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured second place in the world championship at the last minute.

Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull had to settle for third place in a direct duel with the Monegasque.

Mick Schumacher also says goodbye

In his last appearance for Haas, Mick Schumacher, who was dismissed as a regular driver after two years, unnecessarily drove into Williams man Nicholas Latifi on lap 39 and spun off the track.

The 23-year-old received a five-second penalty and in 16th place clearly missed the points again.

After all, Mercedes is very interested in signing Schumacher as a replacement driver for 2023.

Silver Arrow star Lewis Hamilton had to park his car a few kilometers before the end due to hydraulic damage.

53 victories, 57 pole positions, four world championship titles - Vettel has immortalized himself in the Formula 1 history books.

After 16 years he wants to have more time for his family and projects off the asphalt.

"Racing was so central in my life, so it's hard to say that I won't miss it," Vettel admitted beforehand.

Formula 1 bowed to one of its biggest stars.

"It will be strange not to have him here next year," said Alpine driver Fernando Alonso, who at 41 has been there forever and even initially gave Vettel the promised escort after the start in the Grand Prix.

The Spaniard will take over the German's car next season.

"Fantastic, outstanding, unique" was the triad of Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto about his former driver Vettel.

On the group photo before the drivers' parade, the German high-fived his colleagues, later they even lined up for the horsepower star.

Emotional weekend for Vettel

"There was so much love and compassion, it feels like everything I've given in the past few years is coming back," said Vettel in front of the fans and took a few photos on the tour with the truck.

“It is a very special and emotional weekend.

All those years have been incredible.”

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Then the red lights went out for the last time for Vettel.

It was getting serious.

Vettel also got off to a smooth start on lap one thanks to former title rival Alonso, who later had to retire due to a water leak.

Pole man Verstappen stayed ahead of his teammate Perez.

Leclerc attached himself to the heels of the two dominant Red Bulls.

Hamilton and Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari, on the other hand, both touched in turn six.

The Englishman took the curb exit and took a shortcut.

After an announcement by race officials, he gave his fourth place back to the Spaniard shortly afterwards to avoid a possible penalty.

Meanwhile, Vettel was in a tough battle for position with Alonso's Alpine stable rival Esteban Ocon.

Schumacher lost more and more ground and temporarily fell back to 16th place.

While the top drivers around Perez gradually switched from medium to hard tires from lap 16, Vettel stayed outside.

It was his chance again to fight against the leaders.

Because his Aston Martin has been anything but great in the two years since he switched from Ferrari.

Vettel didn't like the strategy at all.

"That's the worst, we're being eaten up by the others.

Who's next?!” he complained over the pit radio and described himself as “easy prey”.

He came into the pits on lap 26 in ninth position and returned in 19th place with the hard rubber compound.

Verstappen and Perez continued to set the pace in front of the two Ferraris, while Vettel struggled at the back.

"Why was our strategy so wrong," Vettel said indignantly when he was even pushed out of the points by teammate Lance Stroll shortly before the end.

The German still got this one point to say goodbye.

dpa