Iina Huhmarniemi at Abu Dhabi.
Iina Huhmarniemi at Abu Dhabi.
I had the chance of my life to travel to Abu Dhabi and witness the season finale with my very own eyes.
A woman stands inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on February 01, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Kitwood / Getty Images.
Grid girls at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Sunday 23 November 2014. Photo by Zak Mauger / Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images.
Formula One World Championship 2014, Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi, girls. Photo by Hoch Zwei / Corbis via Getty Images.
Etihad stewardesses lining the Formula One Drivers' Parade red carpet before the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, on the 13 November 2011. Photo by Darren Heath / Getty Images.
A sign is seen near the circuit before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 17, 2022. Photo by Jakub Porzycki / Nur Photo via Getty Images.
The sun sets over the circuit during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 17, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
View of the circuit before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on November 17, 2022. Photo by Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images.
Both scorching sun and the mesmerising artificial lights in many colours made the venue magical.
Sebastian Vettel garage in Abu Dhabi. Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
It was truly an emotional weekend, as Sebastian Vettel's 15-year career in Formula 1 came to an end.
Valtteri Bottas and Tiffany Cromwell walk in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 17, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Ferrari team pose for a photo before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 17, 2022. Photo by Jakub Porzycki /Nur Photo via Getty Images.
Ferrari pits. Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari before the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on November 17, 2022. Photo by Jakub Porzycki / Nur Photo via Getty Images.
Max Verstappen looks on in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 17, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Mario Renzi / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Iina Huhmarniemi.
Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri walks in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Spectators watch on as the sun goes down during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the pits during the free practice. Photo by Ferrari.
Robert Shwartzman, free practice. Photo by Ferrari.
Robert Shwartzman, free practice. Photo by Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari F1-75 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.
Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari F1-75 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, on November 18, 2022. Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Max Verstappen on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 18, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Joe Portlock / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Red Bull showed top performance in the qualifying, being clearly the team to beat. The pecking order had returned back to the normal, as Ferrari ahain had the upper hand on Mercedes.
'Danke Seb' sign is seen on the Aston Martin of Sebastian Vettel, who will retire Formula 1 after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022. Photo by Jakub Porzycki / Nur Photo via Getty Images.
Vettel extracted the maximum out of his AMR22 in the qualifying, which was his 300th one already. The German ex Ferrari pilot made it outstandingly among the ten fastest.
Red Bull Racing team members look on in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.
In Q2 Perez seemed to have the upper hand on teammate Verstappen, who complained about loss of grip on the team radio.
Carlos Sainz, qualifying. Photo by Ferrari.
Carlos Sainz in qualifying. Photo by Ferrari.
The sun had ready set, as the decisive final session was kicked off. Verstappen claimed provisional pole by almost three tenths to Sainz in his Ferrari.
Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari F1-75 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari F1-75 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Carlos Sainz of Spain driving (55) the Ferrari F1-75 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Perez was third and Leclerc fourth, which predicted extremely close battle between the two top teams. Hamilton and Russell were fifth and sixth for Mercedes.
Max Verstappen on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 19, 2022. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.
In the end, Verstappen was out of his rivals' reach. It was his teammate, who finally got closest to him, which meant a front row lockout for the energy drink team.
Charles Leclerc, qualifying. Photo by Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc, qualifying. Photo by Ferrari.
Only four hundredths of a second separated Perez and Leclerc, who made it on the second row alongside teammate Sainz. Hamilton and Russell locked down the third row for Mercedes, leaving McLaren's Norris 7th and Alpine's Ocon 8th. Vettel scored P9 in his career-ending qualifying session, with Ricciardo in the sister McLaren rounding out the top ten.
Pierre Gasly of France and Scuderia AlphaTauri walks in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Carmen Mundt and George Russell on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Getty Images.
Kevin Magnussen of Denmark and Haas signs an autograph in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Usain Bolt and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, pose for a photo in a car prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Drivers’ parade prior to the Grand Prix. Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Carlos Sainz and team Ferrari. Photo by Ferrari.
Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Aston Martin F1 Team embraces his father Norbert Vettel on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Aston Martin F1 Team prepares to drive during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Rivals Perez and Leclerc both started to the season finale with 290 points under his belt. The air temperature was enjoyable 29 degrees Celsius, as the cars were unleashed from the grid. The start was clean and the world champion team Red Bull held on to their double lead. The most exciting battle was seen between Hamilton and Sainz for P4. In sector three on the opening lap the Briton hit the kerb, which made his Mercedes bounce heavily. Hamilton managed to stay ahead of Carlos, but the stewards took the situation into investigation, as Hamilton had cut the corner. Like expected, Hamilton was told to give the 4th place back to Carlos, and the Briton had no chance but to obey the order. However, having given the position back, the 7-time world champion stroke again immediately and passed Carlos with a clean move this time.
Carlos Sainz in the race on November 20, 2022. Photo by Ferrari.
Four laps later Hamilton was in trouble with Sainz, who was thirsty with redemption and moved ahead of the Mercedes ace. Hamilton's lap times were lame, and also teammate Russell overtook Hamilton. Hamilton complained on the team radio, that he was losing power.
Tyre degradation proved quite high, and Perez came in on lap 16 already. The Mexican switched to the hard compound having completed his first stint on medium Pirellis. Russell, Sainz and Hamilton pitted as well. Unfortunately Mercedes released Russell unsafely from the pit box, and a collision with McLaren's Norris was extremely close. This led into a 5-second time penalty inevitably.
Race leader Verstappen came into the pits on lap 21, and rejoined the track in the lead, but it was surprisingly close with teammate Perez. Retiring Vettel was driving an extremely long first stint, and he had climbed up to P6 already. However, this strategy proved costly for Vettel, who was in trouble with his out-worn tyres and got overtaken first by Hamilton and then by Norris. On lap 26 Vettel finally pitted.
Pit stop strategy played a key role in the season finale. Perez made his second pit stop on lap 34, switching for another set of hard tyres. His closest rival Leclerc, on the other hand, was opting for one-stop strategy. Perez was setting brilliant lap times, but there were still 15 seconds and three cars separating Perez from Charles. Russell and Sainz made their second pit stops on lap 40. The Mercedes pilot had to suffer his time penalty, which dropped him down to P8.
With 15 laps to go, storming Perez had made it at the very tail of Hamilton, who was the very final obstacle on his way to take the battle to Charles for the second place both in the race and in the drivers' world championship standings. Perez made his move and managed to make his way through, but Hamilton claimed his position back right away. Finally a lap later Perez squeezed his RB18 past Hamilton. The next target was Charles, who was now 10 seconds ahead. The passionate chase began immediately, and the large number of Checo fans in the grandstands cheered loudly for their hero.
With ten laps to go, Verstappen had built up a superior 10-second lead to Charles. Meanwhile, Hamilton's W12 was hit with a hydraulic issue, which ended the race for the unlucky Briton. Hamilton's retirement was good news for the Red Team, as Ferrari secured their second place in the constructors' championship standings. On the second last lap Perez was only 1,5 seconds down on Charles, but in spite of true passion and hard work, the Mexican seemed to be running out of laps.
Verstappen crossed the finish line as the race winner for the historic 15th time during this season. The sky filled with stunning fireworks, as Verstappen took the chequered flag.
Charles Leclerc. Photo by Ferrari.
Charles finished second, leaving Perez third both in the race and in the championship standings.
Charles Leclerc on the podium at Abu Dhabi. Photo by Ferrari.
Second placed Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari celebrates on the podium following the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Due to more clever race strategy Charles made it second in the drivers' standings. Carlos made Ferrari's day successful by finishing fourth. In spite of the penalty Russell finished 5th for Mercedes and Norris 6th for McLaren. Vettel finished his very last race in P10, scoring one point.
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Red Bull Racing, second placed Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari, Olaf Janssen, Red Bull Racing Team Member and third placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images.
Race winner Verstappen, Charles and Driver of the Day Sebastian Vettel celebrated the season finale by making doughnuts on the start/finish straight, making the crowd go wild.
Sebastian Vettel says goodbye to Formula 1. Photo by Iina Huhmarniemi.
Without a doubt Sebastian Vettel's retirement leaves a big hole in the paddock. In the early years of his career his whole world was about racing, winning races and becoming the world champion.
Tenth placed Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Aston Martin F1 Team waves to the crowd following his final race in F1 during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Mark Thompson / Getty Images.
During the more recent years Sebastian has grown other interests in addition to racing, such as using his voice to raise awareness of environmental issues.
Tenth placed Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Aston Martin F1 Team's race helmet rests on the track following his final race in F1 during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo by Dan Istitene / Formula 1 via Getty Images.
Iina Huhmarniemi met in Abu Dhabi a South Korean true Vettel fan, who had a replica of Sebastian's helmet with his autograph.
On track Sebastian has been one of the all-time greats and off track he is setting a great example, how anyone can commute and make this world a better place.
Now it's time for winter hibernation and to wipe off the tears. Welcome season 2023!
With passion for racing red,
Iina Huhmarniemi
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