As the 2017 Formula One season drew to a close with a whimper so too did Scuderia Ferrari’s campaign with German driver Sebastian Vettel a distant third place in Abu Dhabi, yet it was enough to ensure he finished runner-up in the championship.
In the last race of the year, Sebastian Vettel and Scuderia Ferrari unfortunately had no answer to Mercedes as Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton raced to the 1-2 under the lights at the Yas Marina circuit earlier today. It was clear from the very first lap that, barring distaster, it would be Mercedes’ race with Scuderia Ferrari’s drivers running a lonely third and fourth. Sebastian took the year’s final chequered flag 19.3s behind race winner Valtteri Bottas: “In the beginning I tried really hard but had nowhere to go and locked up a little bit and flat spotted the first set of tyres.” – he said of his start – “But then I just couldn’t go any faster and they [Mercedes] seemed to pull away. From there on it was pretty lonely. In the second stint I really got into the car, into the rythem. We had stronger pace in the second part but yeah not good enough to match those two guys.” – the German driver explained, as reported by the Italian media at the end of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel’s third place finish handed him second place in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of Valtteri Bottas, however, he hopes Scuderia Ferrari can come back stronger in 2018: “Congrats to Valtteri, very happy for him and very much congratulations to Lewis on his season,” he added – “He deserved to win the championship and while I hate to say it, he was the better man. I’m sure we will do our bit over the winter and hopefully come back stronger.” – the four-time Formula One world champion concluded.
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