Race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium after winning the year-end F1 race at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 13, 2020. /CFP
Max Verstappen brought the curtain down on the 2020 F1 season with a lights-to-flag cruise to victory on Sunday in the year-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Dutchman with his Honda-powered car led every lap of what turned out to be a processional race in his Red Bull to cross the line 15.9 seconds ahead of Mercedes pair Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton on an uncharacteristic off day for the otherwise dominant champions.
"It was really enjoyable out there today," said Verstappen, who ends the season third behind Bottas in the overall standings, after taking his 10th career win and second this year.
"We did basically everything alright."
Fireworks go off as race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the #33 Honda-powered Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB16 crosses the finish line at the year-end F1 race at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 13, 2020. /CFP
"We have to work hard to be better and stronger because you can't just rely on this result," Verstappen continued.
"We know we still have to improve the car a lot. We have some areas to work on, and not only on the car, but also power-wise. We need more.
"I hope we learn from the last few years. It is not like we do it on purpose. We will go into the winter with a good feeling. (Winning in Abu Dhabi) is a good boost and I just hope we learn from our mistakes we made also at the beginning of this year and hopefully we will build a better car for the beginning of next year."
Verstappen's victory denied Hamilton a 12th win of the season, which would have made 2020 his most successful year yet, with the Briton never having won more than 11 races in a single campaign.
Racers wear T-shirts in support of ending racism prior to the race at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 13, 2020. /CFP
But the 35-year-old, still struggling from the after effects of COVID-19, was relieved to simply get through the race.
"That was a really hard race for me physically," said Hamilton who wrapped up a record-equaling seventh title last month.
"I'm just glad it's over."
"We have a fight on our hands next year," Hamilton said. "Without doubt these guys are going to be strong. This car he (Verstappen) is driving now is next year's car pretty much and same for us, so I am excited for that battle we are going to get."
The Ferrari team applaud as Sebastian Vettel of Germany driving the #5 Scuderia Ferrari SF1000 leaves the garage for his final race for the team at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 13, 2020. /CFP
Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel bowed out of Ferrari on Sunday with one last, slightly wobbly, song of thanks over the radio in Italian and a large trophy as a parting gift.
The German, who had hoped to emulate boyhood hero and Ferrari great Michael Schumacher when he arrived at Maranello, finished 14th in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and one place behind team mate Charles Leclerc.
"Grazie Seb," was written on a pit board as the team assembled for a group photo accompanied by a large Champions League-style trophy celebrating Vettel's 14 wins in six years in Italy.
Vettel, who is joining Aston Martin (the renamed Racing Point) next season, ranks third on the list of Ferrari's all-time winners and is the most successful not to win a championship with them.
He also notched up 12 poles and 55 podiums for the Italian team as well as 14 fastest laps.
"It was an emotional day with the mechanics waving goodbye on the grid. I felt there was a different dynamic and tension there," the German, who won his titles with Red Bull from 2010-13, told reporters.
"I am sad for the guys, I will miss them but also happy to embark on a new journey."
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing leads on the grid at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 13, 2020. /CFP
After the race he gave a farewell rendition of "Azzurro", a popular 1960s song by Adriano Celentano, on his slowing down lap.
"Every time I was really excited for some reason [at Ferrari] I started to sing and I think it was a nice way for one last time to sing again," he said.
"I changed the lyrics so I hope I don't get in trouble with copyright. I think it was a good way to express my gratitude for the team."
Vettel said the trophy took him by surprise: "I've never finished P14 before and got a trophy so it was definitely a nice memory."
"I have learned so much from this team and they have given me so much. I am very grateful for that," he said.
The pandemic-hit 2020 season, with Ferrari slumping to sixth overall and their worst performance in 40 years, was a poor reflection on the great times they had together, he added.