The 2018 Formula One season is over, with Lewis Hamilton fending off Sebastian Vettel to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his 11th victory of the season.

The Brit had already secured the title before the race but extended his lead at the top with another victory, although the day’s biggest talking point was the first lap crash involving German Nico Hülkenberg.

After he clipped Romain Grosjean at turn nine, Hülkenberg’s car lifted from the track and then caught alight.

It wasn’t as dramatic as last weekend’s Formula 3 crash involving Sophia Floersch, but it was still a cause for concern.

Here’s the Guardian:

[His car] came to a rest upside down and the Renault driver was unable to extricate himself as fire appeared at the rear of the car.

“Get me out of here, there is fire, there is fire,” he said. “I’m OK but I’m hanging here like a cow. Get me out of this car.” Marshals quickly extinguished the fire and righted the car and Hülkenberg was able to climb out, unhurt.

Always a relief when the driver emerges unscathed, especially after an accident that looked very hectic when it happened live.

To watch these first highlights, you’ll have to click through to YouTube:

If you can’t be bothered, here’s a second video that doesn’t have quite as many angles:

I guess it’s a reminder of just how much safer cars are these days than they were in the early 90s.

As for Lewis – well, just another checkmark on his quest to become the most decorated driver in history:

…this final drive was a microcosm of a season in which he has barely made an error and at times has been breathtaking.

Stripping to show Angelou’s inspirational words [her poem ‘Still I Rise’ is tattooed across his back] summed it up. “I’ve always wanted to do it, because I wanted to show “Still I Rise,” he said. “I think it was the perfect moment because that’s how it has been this year.”

…He is the first driver to finish with more than 400 points, a number that pales against the one that matters which is the 11 victories this season, including six from the last eight. As Hamilton goes in to the close season, he is understandably carrying supreme confidence.

His race is all the more impressive when you consider that Will Smith basically took him hostage in the build-up:

“Will, I’ve got to race! Seriously!!” #AbuDhabiGP @F1 pic.twitter.com/cf1lBiseHW

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 25, 2018

Good times.

[source:guardian]