Simply Abu Dhabi XXVIII

The race was a straightforward affair that sawHamilton take a comfortable win from Vettel, Verstappen and Raikkonen. After the race and just seconds before the top three were due to walk on to the podium, Verstappen was dealt a five-second post-race penalty for cutting a corner on the last lap as he passed Raikkonen for third. This promoted Raikkonen to the dais to give Ferrari two of the three podium places, and unceremoniously kicked Verstappen out of the post- race winner’s room. Mercedes clinched its fourth successive World Constructors’ Championship. Drivers: Hamilton: 331 Vettel: 265 Constructors: Mercedes: 578 Ferrari: 428 Rd 18 Mexico: The final nail was almost in Ferrari’s coffin for 2017, since after losing the constructors’ title in Texas, Hamilton needed just fifth place to claim his fourth world drivers’ championship. Vettel delayed the inevitable by taking pole position with Verstappen second and Hamilton relegated to the second row in third alongside Bottas. Ricciardo took a 20-place grid penalty for a new engine so was out of the equation, but suffered a blown turbo in the race and was forced to retire. Verstappen got past Vettel off the start, which also allowed Hamilton to make an opportune pass on the Ferrari into second. Vettel touched Verstappen on the third corner which damaged his wing, forcing him to pit for a new nose on the opening lap. In the melee, Hamilton also got a puncture and had to pit, putting the championship contenders back to last and second last places in the race. Photography: Darren Heath