23/11/2014
NEWS STORY
And so it comes down to this.
Ten months after the cars took to the track at Jerez for the first day of testing here we are in Abu Dhabi, the title fight down to two men, two men from the same team.
Looking back, other than the remarkable recovery made by Renault, Red Bull completing just 3 laps on that opening day, we have seen tragedy and triumph.
We have seen great wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the field, we have seen two teams go to the wall, we have seen rule changes, gimmicks, the horror of Jules Bianchi's Suzuka crash, Fernando Alonso's departure from Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel's divorce from Red Bull.
We've seen Bernie in the dock, Bernie dismissing young fans, we've seen Bernie doing more U-turns than we usually witness at the local junction with the A12.
But in the end, despite it all, despite the fears over the reliability of the new power plants, despite the complaints at the new sound of the sport, like so many times before it comes down to two brave young men going head to head.
Whilst some claim that with 10 wins Lewis Hamilton is the moral victor already, teammate Nico Rosberg has kept him honest all year. Indeed, it was only in Singapore that the Briton finally took the lead in the title race.
Yes, there has been controversy, but in the end it comes down to these two men and their quite wonderful Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrids.
Let us hope that today's race sees the title decided on track, the result of one driver out-classing the other, rather than in a technical failure, a clash at the first corner (or any other corner) or in the Stewards HQ several hours after the race.
Yet, as much as today's race is about two men fighting for the ultimate goal, it is also a day when we might be bidding farewell to a number of drivers, possibly even a team or two.
As Marussia insists there is still hope, let's hope that over the weeks and months ahead Caterham can salvage something. Whilst Finbarr O'Connell, the man charged with Administering the team in these difficult times, looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights, he is no fool. Let's hope that the Leafield outfit finally has someone at the helm who really cares about the team and its people.
As Gurmit so succinctly put it earlier this week, Sauber, Lotus and Force India are seeking more of the financial cake, however, the yawning chasm between the sport's haves and have-nots grows ever wider, self-interest very much the name of the game. Indeed, on Friday, as teams recover from the financial cost of this year's rule change, Christian Horner was calling for another change to the engine format.
As for drivers, today is possibly the last time we see Jenson Button in an F1 car, and whilst he retains a dignified approach deep down he will be hurting, since 2000 this is all he has known. Furthermore, he is still capable of winning.
Other drivers still to confirm their plans for 2015 include Kevin Magnussen, Jean-Eric Vergne, Adrian Sutil, Esteban Gutierrez, Max Chilton, Kamui Kobayashi and Will Stevens, who has done such an impressive job thus far this weekend.
While talk of today's race is dominated by the title fight let's not forget the various others scores that might be settled.
Much as we hate them the double points could yet see Ferrari overhaul Williams (unlikely), McLaren overhaul Ferrari (unlikely), Force India overhaul McLaren (very unlikely on recent form) or even Sauber opens its 2014 points account. And then there's Caterham.
Sebastian Vettel would no doubt like to sign off from Red Bull by beating his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, but with the two demoted to the back of the grid due to some flexing naughtiness we shall just have to see who does the better job of working their way through the field.
Just behind Vettel, in terms of points, is Alonso, and we are sure the Spaniard will want to sign off in style, or, in the style of the Daily Mail, 'show Ferrari what it will be missing'.
Of course, Valtteri Bottas could, and should, leapfrog them both, the Williams very strong here, while Felipe Massa could do with closing the gap to his teammate.
With no really good seats remaining, other than that which he already fills, Button doesn't need to impress prospective employers however, maybe a good enough result would get Ron to pull his finger out.
We remain unconvinced by Abu Dhabi but the fact is we're stuck with it. It is never going to be a classic, but it is clear that money talks and therefore it is likely to remain host of the season finale for some time. Overtaking is difficult here but it is not impossible, so let's hope for lots of heart in mouth moments but no outright silliness.
Assuming that it's a clean fight, whoever wins will make a worthy champion and even the runner up, based on Mercedes obvious strength, knows that there's a good chance there will be a similar showdown in twelve months.
Long before the race the drivers gather for the 'end of term' photo, it's a nice touch, unusual for the sport these days, that there are empty seats for the Marussia duo.
A two-stop strategy is theoretically fastest for the 55-lap race. The quickest strategy goes: start on options (supersoft), change onto Prime (soft) on lap eight, then soft again on lap 31. A three-stop sprint strategy is also feasible, but carries risks in terms of traffic.
The fastest three-stop strategy is: start on supersoft, change to soft on lap seven, soft again on lap 23 and soft once more on lap 39. As long as there are not too many hold ups with traffic, this strategy is in theory less than two seconds slower over the cumulative 305.355-kilometre race distance.
With only a 40% safety car probability, this is not historically a key factor in the strategy.
The pitlane opens, one by one the drivers - with the exception of the Red Bull duo - head down the pitlane.
As has become the 'tradition', the drivers gather for the national anthem, which, to be honest, sounds like any other national anthem.
Nice to see a few F1 legends on the grid, Alain Prost, Gerhard Berger and Mika Hakkinen.
With five minutes to go before the field heads off on the warm-up lap, the air temperature is 26 degrees C, whilst the track temperature is 33 degrees.
All are starting on options bar Magnussen, Vergne, Perez, Hulkenberg and the Red Bull duo who start on primes.
They head off on the warm-up lap. All get away except Maldonado who is very slow getting away and should therefore start from the back alongside his teammate but sans drive-through.
A great start from Hamilton who heads his teammate into the first corner, Rosberg lucky not to be passed by Massa as Bottas makes a dreadful getaway.
As Hamilton heads into the distance there are major scraps throughout the field, Sutil and Magnussen clash but not too heavily. The Dane having previously clashed with Hulkenberg.
Hamilton, Rosberg, Massa, Button, Raikkonen, Alonso, Kvyat, Bottas, Hulkenberg and Perez.
At the end of lap 1, Grosjean serves his penalty. Ricciardo is 17th and Vettel 18th.
Hamilton posts a fastest lap (47.142) as he builds a 1.2s lead, Rosberg 2.5s clear of Massa who is under pressure from Button.
After just 2 laps the field is quite strung out - not in the Timothy Leary sense.
Replay shows what a brilliant start Hamilton made, absolutely perfect.
After 4 laps, Bottas, still in 8th, complains of "small graining" at the rear.
Woah! In one move Ricciardo passes Sutil and Kobayashi as Alonso and Kvyat nail Raikkonen who appears to be struggling for grip already. Alonso subsequently pits, as does Sutil. Both switch to the soft rubber.
At the end of lap 6, Button pits, as does Kvyat and Raikkonen. The Briton rejoins in 14th, Kvyat 18th and Raikkonen 19th.
Alonso clearly frustrated as he fails to pass Stevens, the Caterham driver doing a great job. The Spaniard eventually finds a way as Kvyat finds it equally difficult to pass the Caterham driver.
Gutierrez and Maldonado pit at the end of lap 7.
"All the cars that have pitted are stuck in traffic," Bottas is told. "This is where we're going to make our day." The Finn is currently fourth, 11.3s down on his teammate.
Ricciardo is now up to 8th and teammate Vettel 10th, the German unable to find a way past Magnussen.
At the end of lap 8 Grosjean pits, as Hamilton is told that the team is "awaiting a window".
Magnussen is under investigation for the first lap incident involving Hulkenberg.
"Box, box," Hamilton is told at the end of lap 10. He obliges. 21.885s later he rejoins the race in third as Bottas also pits, rejoining in tenth.
A 5 second stop-and-go for Hulkenberg.
Next time around Rosberg pits, the German rejoining in third 21.741s later.
Perez, in fifth, is under pressure from Vergne and Ricciardo. Ricciardo makes a move on the Frenchman but he is having none of it, making the Toro Rosso as wide as possible. Vettel still stuck behind Magnussen.
Consequently, after 12 laps, Massa leads Hamilton, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Perez, Vergne, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Vettel and Bottas.
A big lock-up from Vergne allows Ricciardo to pass as Massa finally pits. Elsewhere, Rosberg posts a new fastest lap (46.890). Vergne also pits. Bottas catches Vettel by surprise as he demonstrates the raw speed of the Williams-Mercedes.
Massa rejoins in third as Rosberg is told to conserve his tyres.
Perez pits at the end of lap 14, rejoining in 13th as Bottas complains that a pit board (Caterham) is being held out too far and is distracting.
"This race is about managing the next two tyre sets," Massa is told. Elsewhere, Hulkenberg serves his penalty as Kobayashi pits. Stevens pitted a lap earlier.
Kvyat has stopped at T21 and has to be pushed off the track, end of the season for the 2015 Red Bull driver.
Rosberg is told again to conserve his tyres as the team plans to run him longer than his teammate.
After 16 laps, only Ricciardo (4th), Magnussen (6th) and Vettel (7th) haven't stopped.
Another fastest lap from tyre conserving Rosberg (46.869) as he closes to within 2.379s of his teammate.
Alonso closes on 8th placed Button as Ricciardo is warned that Bottas is closing in. Though he is told not to make it too easy for the Finn, the Red Bull driver is advised that his is not in the same race. If you get the drift.
"The tyres are still very good," says Magnussen who has yet to stop. However, moments later Vettel, who also has yet to pit, says that his rears are "going off".
Magnussen and Vettel both pit at the end of lap 21, the Dane swaps to options and the German sticks with primes. They rejoin in 13th and 15th, respectively.
Sutil makes his second stop of the day at the end of lap 22.
At which point it is: Hamilton, Rosberg, Massa, Ricciardo, Bottas, Button, Alonso, Raikkonen, Perez and Hulkenberg.
A big lock-up for Rosberg at T17, the German running wide across the blue run-off. As a result the gap to Hamilton is now up to 5.670.
Bottas nails Ricciardo, the Australian not making any real sort of effort to respond. Nor does he have to.
"I'm losing engine power," complains Rosberg as he visibly loses ground to his teammate. "Copy Nico, we can see it," is the response.
"ERS has failed... " Rosberg is told, the comment trailing off... seemingly along with his title hopes. He is now 11.439s down on Hamilton and just 2.453s ahead of Massa. Frantic discussion on the Mercedes pit-wall.
Massa is warned of Rosberg's problem. The German now losing around 4s a lap to his teammate.
"Currently still no ERS, all the rear power is coming from the brakes," Rosberg is told but the German is told that the issue is more than that. "Please investigate," he calls. Of course, the German suffered a similar issue in Canada but still brought the car home.
As Raikkonen pits, at the end of lap 26, Massa passes Rosberg to take second.
Ricciardo finally pits at the end of lap 27, the Australian rejoining in 8th. Alonso also pits.
The season ends exactly where it began for Maldonado, the Venezuelan stopping his Lotus on track (T21) flames pouring from the back.
In the Lotus garage mechanics appear to be laughing at their car's demise.
Button makes his second stop at the end of lap 28 - as does Gutierrez - the Briton rejoining in 10th just ahead of Alonso. The two are immediately involved in a titanic battle, the Briton holding off the man who is taking his seat only to lose out when the Spaniard makes a typically late, brave move. Elsewhere, Magnussen pits, the Dane swapping to the prime rubber.
Hamilton is also slowing, but it's unclear whether it's a problem or merely the team being cautious. Massa is now just 8.5s behind.
Vergne pits at the end of lap 30.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 31 as Ricciardo passes Perez and Button re-takes 9th from Alonso.
Hamilton rejoins in third, just behind his teammate, in no time at all he has swept past the German who has around 160bhp less.
"Keep me the top six, or five or whatever it is," asks Rosberg, mindful that should his teammate retire he needs to be in the top five. Moments later he is passed by Bottas and drops to fourth.
Ricciardo, in fifth 18.939s down on Rosberg, posts a new fastest lap (46.735).
Rosberg is told to pit and advised that he will need to perform a "manual pull away". The German pits and 24.083sw later rejoins in 6th behind Hulkenberg.
The track strewn is with marbles as Button goes quickest in S1, the McLaren driver currently 9th.
Bottas pits at the end of lap 35, the Finn rejoining in 4th.
With 20 laps remaining, it's: Massa, Hamilton, Bottas, Ricciardo, Perez, Hulkenberg, Rosberg, Vettel, Button and Alonso.
"How am I looking for that position that I need should Lewis drop out," asks Rosberg. When told that it's not looking good he replies; "well, what the hell do I have to do?"
Vettel passes Rosberg to add to his countryman's woes. Meanwhile, Bottas posts a new fastest lap (46.304) as he closes to within 0.856s of Ricciardo.
Sutil makes his third stop of the afternoon as Stevens makes his second.
Rosberg runs wide at T1 and is in the process is passed by Button, thereby dropping to 8th.
More problems for Rosberg who complains that his brakes are going and throttle is all over the place.
Vettel passes Perez to take 5th but the Mexican immediately snatches it back. The Force India driver subsequently pits.
In second, 12.5s down on the leader, Hamilton bangs in a new fastest lap (46.166).
Hulkenberg leaves Alonso for dead, the German making full use of his options and decreasing fuel load. Raikkonen is currently 11th.
Having posted that new fastest lap, Hamilton tells his team that he doesn't need them to "turn up " his engine.
Massa pits at the end of lap 43, the Williams driver switching to options. He rejoins in second.
Perez passes Raikkonen with ease, thereby dropping the Finn to 12th.
As Kobayashi heads into the pits and retirement, Rosberg is told that he need to finish fifth if he is to have any hope of wining the title... assuming Hamilton retires of course. The German is currently seventh and under attack from Hulkenberg.
The Force India sweeps past the Mercedes, as Rosberg's weekend goes from bad to worse.
Massa, currently 9.8s down on Hamilton, posts a new fastest lap (45.342). Next time around the Brazilian posts another fastest lap (44.953).
Vettel pits at the end of lap 46, thereby promoting Rosberg back to seventh. The world champion, now on options, rejoins in tenth.
Perez passes Alonso to take 8th, the next target on the Mexican's hit-list being Rosberg.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 47, the Australian rejoining in 4th, around 8s ahead of Button.
Vettel makes short work of Alonso to take ninth... Ferrari future and passed, so to speak.
With 5 laps remaining, it's: Hamilton, Massa, Bottas, Ricciardo, Button, Hulkenberg, Perez, Rosberg, Vettel and Alonso.
Raikkonen is eleventh, ahead of Magnussen, Vergne, Grosjean, Gutierrez, Sutil and Stevens.
Rosberg loses another position, this time to Vettel. Meanwhile, a new fastest lap for Ricciardo (44.496).
As Rosberg slows, seemingly to retire, Hamilton is told that the German is no longer a threat and that he can now fight (Massa) for the win. The Williams is currently 4.324s behind.
Now down in 13th, still Rosberg continues. Surely, he should be put out of his misery.
"Nico, box, box, box, too many problems with the car." "I would like to go to the end," he bravely replies. To add to his pain he is subsequently lapped by his teammate.
Hamilton begins his final lap.
As he winds his way towards the flag, the crowd rises to greet the new champion.
Hamilton takes flag - and fireworks - to become the 2014 world champion, ahead of Massa, Bottas, Ricciardo, Button, Hulkenberg, Perez, Vettel, Alonso and Raikkonen.
Magnussen is eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Grosjean, Rosberg, Gutierrez, Sutil and Stevens.
After a few customary donuts, Hamilton's is congratulated over the team radio by Prince Harry. "Lewis, thank you very much for not making the British public sweat," says the Prince. "You are an absolute legend. Well done mate."
The new champion subsequently responds by stopping to pick up a Union Flag, Ayrton Senna style.
Commiserations for Rosberg from Paddy Lowe; "sorry Nico, you drove like a champion all year, so sorry."
As we said earlier, in the eyes of many, with 10 (now 11) wins this season, Lewis is the moral world champion, but surely Nico deserved better than this.
That said, it's pointless hypothesising, what's done is done, surely as there can only be one winner so there has to be a loser.
How refreshing however, that in spite of his failure, Rosberg is among the first to congratulate the new champion. Maybe next year will be his time.
A season ends with Britain's first double world champion since Jackie Stewart (a Scot) in 1971, and Mercedes first constructors' title.
Unless there are some major upsets in the weeks ahead, in terms of the engine freeze, we cannot see any realistic to Mercedes in 2015, though hopefully Williams has today served notice that it is ready to start challenging again.
The end of the season, and in some respects the end of an era.
Now begins the countdown to F1 2015.
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