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Lewis Hamilton ends 2019 in style with Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi!
- Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has concluded the 2019 season in style, as the six-time champion took a Grand Slam at the Yas Marina Circuit as Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc completed the podium.
Hamilton's victory was never in doubt, with the Brit pulling away at the start and never looking back after, lapping half a second quicker than his closest competitors as he led every lap of the race while also setting a new track record.
By finishing second, Verstappen has sealed third place in the drivers' championship over Leclerc - the Dutchman's best-ever season in Formula 1 for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
Carlos Sainz Jr. won the race for sixth place in the championship as he finished tenth while Pierre Gasly finished 18th, meaning the Spaniard is the first non Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull driver to finish in the top six since 2014, when Valtteri Bottas did it for Williams.
How it happened
The start was uneventful at the front of the pack, but there was some big contact in midfield. Gasly had oversteer and made contact with Lance Stroll. The Frenchman lost his front wing and had to make a long pitstop, ending his chances of finishing in the points. At that point, he needed Sainz to finish outside of the points and Alex Albon to finish fifth or lower to hold on to sixth place in the championship.
Leclerc overtook Verstappen at the end of the back straight on the first lap, although the eight-time Grand Prix winner got Leclerc right back after his pitstop.
Behind, Bottas had an incredible comeback drive after starting from the back of the grid, finishing fourth and getting close to overtaking Leclerc for third, but the Monegasque just about held on to secure his 10th podium of the season.
Midfield scrap
Sainz had a very difficult race, dropping down the order after a good start. He was outside of the points with a handful of laps remaining, when the Spaniard turned it on.
On the very last lap, he overtook Nico Hulkenberg to score a single point, which was enough to get past Pierre Gasly as they were on equal points heading into the weekend. As Albon finished in sixth, he didn't do enough to overcome the 11-point deficit.
It was the final race in Formula 1 for both Hulkenberg and Robert Kubica, at least for now, with neither driver having a seat for 2020.