Seb consolidates 2nd place and Kimi up to 4th as the title fight ends
Yas Marina, 26 November –Thanks to a third place in today’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel made sure of finishing second in the 2017 World Championship, while Kimi Raikkonen’s fourth place finish sees him jump ahead of Ricciardo to take fourth spot in the classification. Scuderia Ferrari has racked up its biggest points score in one season, with 522 to its name.
However, the Abu Dhabi race was not exactly a thriller. The positions remained the same after the start, even if there were a few duels and Kimi made sure Ricciardo knew he was right behind him. Nothing much changed over the following laps, as Yas Marina is not a great venue for overtaking. The run of pit stops began on lap 15, it being the best way to make up ground in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen kicked it off, with Ferrari “covering” the move, bringing in Kimi, who was in front of Max, on the following lap. A switch to the Supersofts and a change of wing angle, all in just over 2 seconds: the strategy worked and the Iceman maintained station.
Ricciardo brought his Red Bull in on lap 20 and Ferrari got ready in pit lane for Seb, who was ahead of Daniel. The move worked well, but, anyway, Ricciardo had to retire immediately afterwards. The two Ferraris were therefore in third and fourth places, at the moment that Bottas pitted. When Hamilton also came in for the red-banded tyres, that was it for the run of pit stops for the leaders.
After that, unfortunately for the fans, nothing much happened apart from Sebastian putting in a fastest lap on lap 50, while Kimi fended off Verstappen. “Thanks to you all, really,” was Seb’s radio message. Farewell then to 2018.
Source: Ferrari.com
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