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Dutchman Max Verstappen celebrated a top victory from start to finish at the end of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi. Sebastian Vettel did not pass 14th place in his farewell to Ferrari.
By Jo Herold
On Sunday (13 December 2020), Verstappen confidently defended his first place on the grid at the start against Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, as well as after a safety car phase on lap 15. The Red Bull driver increased his lead. dominating Mercedes race cars throughout the season for up to twelve seconds. The 23-year-old lost the extra point for the fastest lap on the last lap to Daniel Ricciardo in the Renault. “I really enjoyed it,” said Verstappen after the sky race, “when you’re in the front it’s easier to control the race. The balance of the car was great.”
Hamilton still not in top shape after corona infection
Hamilton never seemed to be able to attack his teammate Bottas in second place. After recovering from the corona infection, Hamilton reported mild lung problems after qualifying on Saturday. “The race was very exhausting for me,” Hamilton said at the end. “I was in top form all year, but today I was not.”
Sebastian Vettel, whose team queued out of their garage before the race, again achieved only a disappointing result in his 118th and final race for Ferrari. The future Aston Martin driver finished 14th, his teammate Charles Leclerc finished just one place ahead of him. Ferrari team boss Matia Binotto had left before the Grand Prix due to a virus infection (but negative corona test).
Sachir winner Pérez retires early – McLaren benefits
Sachir winner Sergio Pérez experienced an unpleasant end to the season and perhaps Formula 1 as well: his Force India surrendered on the tenth lap. Perez has no cabin yet for 2021. Especially for the constructors’ championship it was a failure with consequences: with Perez’s teammate Lance Stroll being only 10th, Force India lost third place in the team competition to McLaren with the German team manager Andras Seidl.
Three months off
The Formula 1 drivers, who will start the new season with the Australian Grand Prix on March 21, 2021, have a three-month break. It is still unclear who is in the Mercedes cockpit: Lewis Hamilton has yet to be confirmed, Valtteri Bottas was heavily criticized, especially towards the end of the season. But Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said of Bottas’ staff in “sky”: “With Valtteri everything is clear for next year.” The second racing cockpit at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen has yet to be finally taken.
Those: sportschau.de
