\n<\/p>\n
\nABU DHABI: Nearly 12 months on from that dramatic finish to the 2021 Formula One championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, the drivers return to Abu Dhabi\u2019s Yas Marina Circuit for the finale of the 2022 campaign, albeit in very different circumstances.<\/p>\n
\nThis time last year, Verstappen and Hamilton arrived at the UAE capital on equal points in the championship with one race to go.<\/p>\n
\nRed Bull\u2019s Verstappen ultimately won his first world title in somewhat controversial fashion, in an eventful Grand Prix that saw race director Michael Masi make a debatable call that resulted in Verstappen pip Hamilton in a one-lap shootout.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI don\u2019t really think a lot about it. So I don\u2019t really have many thoughts on the last race here,\u201d said seven-time world champion Hamilton on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m not necessarily focused on stuff that\u2019s behind me and I\u2019m also trying to, not control, but trying to be the best I can moving forward, the days ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThis year, Verstappen defended his championship crown, securing his second successive title with four races to spare.<\/p>\n
\nDespite the championship already decided, there is still plenty to look forward to this F1 weekend in Abu Dhabi, and lots to unpack from a busy media day at Yas Marina Circuit.<\/p>\n
\nMax hits out at \u2018sickening\u2019 abuse<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWhile we\u2019re used to seeing drama between Red Bull and Mercedes, this time, recent drama has been within the Red Bull camp after Verstappen refused to adhere to team orders in Brazil last weekend.<\/p>\n \nWith Sergio Perez fighting Ferrari\u2019s Charles Leclerc for second place in the championship, Red Bull asked Verstappen to let his Mexican team-mate pass him at Interlagos \u2013 a request Verstappen was not willing to fulfill.<\/p>\n \nThe Dutchman said he had his reasons, which were discussed internally within the team, and he hit out at F1 fans on social media, as well as members of the press, for criticizing his decision not to let Perez through without knowing the full facts; facts he remains unwilling to disclose publicly.<\/p>\n \n\u201cAfter that race of course a I looked very bad in the media. But also they didn’t have the clear picture,\u201d Verstappen told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.<\/p>\n \n\u201cTo immediately put me down like that is pretty ridiculous to be honest. Because they don\u2019t know how I work within the team and what the team appreciates about me. So all the things I have read are pretty disgusting.<\/p>\n \n\u201cEven more than that, they started attacking my family, they were threatening my sister, my mum, my girlfriend, my dad. And for me that goes way too far while you don’t even have the facts of what is going on. And that definitely has to stop.<\/p>\n \n\u201cIf you have a problem with me, that’s fine, but don’t go after my family because that is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n \nHe added: \u201cAs soon as there is something negative it needs to be highlighted, it is pretty sickening being part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \nCheco denies Monaco wrongdoing<\/strong><\/p>\n \nVerstappen acknowledges that \u201cin hindsight\u201d discussions within the team about possible orders to support Perez\u2019s bid for P2 should have happened earlier and they come to Abu Dhabi with a better understanding of everyone\u2019s position.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI have never been a bad teammate to anyone, I have always been very helpful and the team knows that. I always put the team up front because at the end of the day it is a team effort. What we learned from that is that we have to be a little more open and we just have to communicate better to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \nMeanwhile, Perez believes things are back on track within the Red Bull camp and is confident he can count on his teammate\u2019s help should he need him this weekend.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI think we are both grown-ups and we\u2019ll be able to put this behind us and we\u2019ll move forward,\u201d Perez said on Thursday.<\/p>\n \nThere has been speculation that Verstappen\u2019s grievance is related to the race from Monaco earlier this season, and there are rumors that Perez crashed on purpose during qualifying, an incident that prevented his teammate from completing his lap.<\/p>\n \nPerez denies any suggestion that he deliberately crashed, saying the \u201crumors are wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n \n\u201cEveryone makes mistakes in Monaco, in general places in qualifying. And it’s not like it was done on purpose,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \nRed Bull have never finished a championship with their drivers ranked one and two and Verstappen says, \u201cif we could achieve that, that would be amazing. For sure if the opportunity is there to help, as a team we\u2019re going to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \nLeclerc hopes to finish on a high<\/strong><\/p>\n \nFerrari\u2019s Leclerc is coming off a fourth-place finish in Brazil and comes to Abu Dhabi on level points with Perez, although he is ahead of him in the drivers\u2019 standings due to his favorable race-win tally.<\/p>\n \nThe Monegasque admits things have been up and down for him the last few races but is keen to secure P2 with a strong finale at Yas Marina.<\/p>\n \n\u201cBrazil has been good but unfortunately because of our first-lap incident, it was all about coming back to the front, but the pace was there,\u201d said the 25-year-old.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI hope we\u2019ll be strong enough to fight for the top positions. Obviously we are fighting for second place in the drivers\u2019 championship and also second place in the constructors\u2019 championship, and after going through very tough years in 2020 and 2021, it would be good to be back fighting at the top.<\/p>\n \n\u201cEven though our goal is to fight for the championship eventually, after these two difficult years, it would be good to be second.\u201d<\/p>\n \nEmotional goodbyes<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThe sport will get ready to bid farewell to one of its biggest icons in Sebastian Vettel, as the German four-time world champion prepares for the last race of his F1 career this weekend.<\/p>\n \nTributes have been pouring in for Vettel since he announced in July this would be his last season in Formula One and drivers are getting ready to swap helmets with the Aston Martin ace one last time.<\/p>\n \nTwo-time world champion and Vettel\u2019s long-time rival Fernando Alonso posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram, wishing the German good luck for what\u2019s to come and revealed a special helmet design he will be wearing in Vettel\u2019s honor this weekend in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n \nThe helmet features the German flag stripe Vettel has raced with since 2015 and the words, \u2018Danke Seb\u2019 on either side.<\/p>\n \nSee you later, not goodbye for Ricciardo<\/strong><\/p>\n \nFan favorite Daniel Ricciardo is out of a seat for next season in F1 but the Australian hopes he will still be in the paddock in some shape or form in 2023.<\/p>\n \n\u201cMentally I\u2019m not treating it like it\u2019s going to be my last ever race. It could be. I know nothing is guaranteed in the future. So I\u2019m just going out to enjoy it, I\u2019m not going to get too emotional about it, about the thought if it is the last one or not,\u201d said Ricciardo, who is being replaced by Oscar Piastri at McLaren next year.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019m going to enjoy it and take it for what it is. I got a grid penalty, I only go better when I have penalties. I actually asked for a five-place penalty but three will do it, so there we go,\u201d laughed Ricciardo, who collided with Kevin Magnussen in Brazil last weekend.<\/p>\n \nSpeaking of his future, the \u2018Honey Badger\u2019 said: \u201cNothing is confirmed. But progress has been made. Hopefully you can see my good looks again next year, to some degree.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\u2018Mick will get another shot\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n \nAlso leaving the paddock after this final race of the season in Abu Dhabi is Mick Schumacher, who just received the news he won\u2019t be driving for Haas next year and is being replaced by Nico Hulkenberg.<\/p>\n \nSchumacher posted a message on his Instagram after the announcement was made, saying he\u2019ll fight hard to return to the F1 grid, and he signed off with the letters, \u2018PTW\u2019 \u2013 meaning \u201cprove them wrong\u201d.<\/p>\n \n\u201cPTW, it\u2019s been pretty much what I\u2019ve been saying most part of this year,\u201d explained Schumacher.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\u201cI just felt like saying that because I think I want to prove everybody wrong who doesn\u2019t believe in me because I know what I can do. I\u2019ve proven that in the junior categories and I see no reason why I can\u2019t do that in Formula One.\u201d<\/p>\n \nAlpine\u2019s Esteban Ocon is certain Schumacher will get another shot at rejoining the pinnacle of motorsport.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI believe he will obviously work hard with his team to come back,\u201d said the French driver of the 23-year-old Schumacher.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019ve been out of the sport and I know how it feels after two years to go out. But the hard work, the dedication, just being here each time there was a car that started, that\u2019s the thing that brought me back to the sport and I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have a shot again and I wish him the best.\u201d<\/p>\n \nRussell keen to keep momentum going<\/strong><\/p>\n \nMercedes\u2019 George Russell is still on a high after clinching a maiden race victory last week in Brazil but the Brit is keeping his feet on the ground and is holding off on celebrations until Sunday night in the UAE capital.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI\u2019m just very proud of the achievement. It\u2019s something I\u2019ve worked my whole life towards and what you dream of as a child,\u201d said Russell.<\/p>\n \n\u201cFor sure confidence is high and the morale within the team is booming but I don\u2019t suddenly feel transformed overnight.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI feel we\u2019ll be going for it [this weekend in Abu Dhabi]. I think since Austin the car has been performing really well, probably better than we could have ever hoped for.\u201d<\/p>\n \nDrivers get ready for new teammates<\/strong><\/p>\n \nAfter two years together with Alpine, Ocon and Alonso will part ways with the latter taking Vettel\u2019s spot at Aston Martin next season, and Pierre Gasly forming an all-French line-up alongside Ocon.<\/p>\n \nDespite some tension between Ocon and Alonso due to a dramatic last weekend in Brazil, the Frenchman had nothing but positive things to say about the departing two-time world champion.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI think we can be happy with what we\u2019ve done over the last two years with Fernando, in trying to get that team further up, and we\u2019ve done so,\u201d said Ocon.<\/p>\n \n\u201cIn 2021, through the year we really stepped up and gave, at times, 125 percent of what the car was capable of doing and we really delivered on a lot of occasions. And this year, we created that fourth place together, it\u2019s not finished yet.<\/p>\n \n\u201cI don\u2019t know how you say it in English, \u201cil ne faut jamais vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tu\u00e9\u201d (don\u2019t try to sell the bear\u2019s skin before actually killing it). I think we can be happy with what we created and I\u2019m sure that\u2019s going to leave a good legacy for what\u2019s coming next.\u201d<\/p>\n \nMeanwhile, Kevin Magnussen has mixed feelings about Schumacher\u2019s Haas exit, and the impending arrival of Hulkenberg.<\/p>\n \n\u201cIt\u2019s a double-sided thing, because on one hand it\u2019s exciting getting someone like Nico in, with all his experience and capabilities. And on the other hand I feel bad for Mick because I know how that feels, I\u2019ve been in that situation myself. I think he\u2019s done a good job this year. I like him as a person as well, I think it\u2019s easy to feel bad for him,\u201d said the Dane, who scored an incredible pole position for Haas in Brazil last week.<\/p>\n \n\u201cF1 is tough but it\u2019s also possible to make it back; I\u2019ve done that twice. I hope he can keep fighting and try to make it back on the grid.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n