Lewis Hamilton delivered a sumptuous confirmation of his title-winning supremacy on Sunday when he claimed his 84th career victory and 11th in 21 races this year by dominating the season-ending "twilight" Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Starting from a record 88th pole position, the 34-year-old Briton was unchallenged from lights to flag as he cruised to an untroubled triumph 16 seconds ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, who faced a post-race investigation for fuel irregularities.

The six-time world champion's success extended his points-scoring run to a record-equaling 33 races, leveling with his own record, and brought him his 50th victory from pole position.

"That was an absolute master-class," Hamilton's race engineer Peter Bonnington told him on team radio. "You didn't even break into a sweat!"

The winner, who secured title number six with two races to go in Texas last month replied: "I can assure you, I am definitely sweating."

"Honestly I'm proud, definitely, but I'm super-grateful to this incredible team and all the people at Mercedes who have continued to push this year," said Hamilton.

"Who would've thought, at the end of the year, we had the strength and we've learned, and tried, to extract more out of this beautiful car?

"There's a lot youngsters coming through," he said.

"It's great to be in a period of time when there's lots of youngsters coming through – and I'm privileged to be here while they come through."

Verstappen wants more in 2020

Max Verstappen said he was pleased to seal third place in the world championship after finishing second in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – but wanted more next season.

It was the Dutchman's best season in the title race and while he was satisfied, he said he would be aiming higher for himself and Red Bull next year.

"There wasn't much more we could do in this race," he said. "Lewis was too fast for us. As a team we want to move forward so, next year, we want to fight for the title, of course."

Verstappen said his best memory of the year was his victory at the Austrian Grand Prix.

"It was also the first win for Honda in the V6 era," he said. "And it was very emotional with so many Dutch fans there as well.

"As a team we have to go forward so next year we are hoping to fight for the title, of course.

"To be in front of Ferrari in the championship was for me a good achievement. Now we have to step it up again."

Leclerc keeps UAE third place, Ferrari fined 50,000 euros

Charles Leclerc retained his podium finish in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a post-race stewards investigation into a fuel infringement, but his Ferrari team were fined 50,000 euros (55,087 U.S. dollars).

The Monegasque driver finished third behind six-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Red Bull's Dutchman Max Verstappen.

His Ferrari car was checked in the pit lane before the race and found to have infringed the strict fuel regulations. It was reported to race stewards who investigated afterwards.

In a pre-race statement, the sport's ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA) said there was a "significant difference" between the amount of fuel in the car and that declared by Ferrari.

A later statement said: "The stewards determined that the team should be fined 50,000 euros for its inaccurate declaration."

The outcome of the probe was seen as a lenient sanction for the Italian team after a period during which their cars and performance had been the subject of much skepticism from rivals.

"We didn't have the year we were hoping for, full stop," said a disappointed Vettel after finishing fifth at the Yas Marina circuit.

"I think the reasons are clear and the lessons are clear. As a team, we must be stronger. As an individual, I must do better – I can do better. It wasn't a great year from my side."