Hulkenberg crash in Abu Dhabi: "I hang here like a cow"

The departure of the race: It was a scene that stunned all spectators at the track and in front of the television in the first moment. In the first lap Nico Hülkenberg touched in the Renault the Haas of Romain Grosjean. A very normal racing scene, but it ended everything but normal: Hulkenberg Renault took off, overturned several times and slipped on his head lying in the protective wall. For a moment you had to be seriously afraid for the Germans.

SAFETY CAR: LAP 1/55

Huge collision involving Grosjean and Hulkenberg sends the Renault driver flying

Thankfully he confirms on team radio that he is ok # F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/QBPgO7Ow2J

Famous first words: Hulkenberg luckily remained not only unhurt, but also preserved his sense of humor. When the Renault was lying on the roof, his team asked over pit radio if he was okay. Hulkenberg's answer: "I hang here like a cow, and my car is burning." Because the fire was quickly extinguished, the particular all-clear made for general amusement. The car was quickly turned back on the wheels and Hülkenberg be released from his predicament. The rest of the race he looked at from the Renault command post.

"I'm hanging like a cow and there's fire."

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ #RSspirit #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/WJHltqfwVz

The result: World Champion Lewis Hamilton celebrated his eleventh victory of the season - and the sixth in the past eight races. Due to the outstanding second half of the season, the Mercedes driver has earned his fifth world title. Second was Sebastian Vettel - in the race as in the drivers' standings. On the squares followed the Red Bulls by Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo. Here it goes to the message.

The grid: Hamilton - Bottas - Vettel - Raikkonen - Ricciardo - Verstappen - Grosjean - Leclerc - Ocon - Hulkenberg

Stars at the start: In terms of sport, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was irrelevant after the decisions in the drivers 'and constructors' championship had already been taken. Nevertheless, several VIPs romped along the track. When the sheikhs shout (and probably pay high fees), Superstar Will Smith likes to wave the flag of the United Arab Emirates and play for fun with world champion Hamilton.

"Will, I've got to race! Seriously !! "Abu # AbuDhabiGP @ F1 pic.twitter.com/cf1lBiseHW

TV Zoff: Jean Todt, Michael Schumacher times team boss at Ferrari and now president of the Motorsport World Federation Fia, has in the "World on Sunday" clear criticism of the TV broadcasts in Germany practiced. "If I was a German Formula One fan and saw RTL, sorry, then I would be frustrated with Formula One," Todt said in an interview, talking to many spectators. Often missed because of the compulsory commercial breaks crucial racing scenes such as overtaking maneuvers and pit stops.

RTL sports chief Manfred Loppe responded promptly and explained that his transmitter is not financed by contributions and is dependent on advertising. The good news from Abu Dhabi: The Hülkenberg departure and its subsequent salvage were on display as well as the important tire changes - and even during the commercial breaks RTL showed Formula 1 scenes. The organizers in Abu Dhabi had booked spots to point out the current race during the transfer. Sheikh has to be one.

Kimi in bad luck: Kimi Raikkonen had certainly imagined his departure from Ferrari otherwise. For the new season, the Finn back to Sauber, so the team in which he had celebrated his Formula 1 debut in 2001. A top placement - perhaps even on the podium - was denied the "Iceman" to standout. Instead, his car stopped at the end of the seventh lap on the start-finish straight. And Raikkonen rose during the race for the last time from the Ferrari. Small consolation: Despite the failure, it was enough for the Finn to third place in the drivers' championship behind Hamilton and Vettel.

REUTERS

Kimi Raikkönen leaves Ferrari

Racetrack rivals: At the Brazilian Grand Prix, it was initially on the track and later in the paddock come to scuffles, because the already overcrowded Ocon had brought the leading Verstappen by an avoidable collision to the possible victory. In Abu Dhabi, the two met again on the track. Again it came to a small contact - but this time in the fair fight for the places and without worse consequences.

Gracias, adiós: For some drivers it was (for the time being) the last Formula 1 race. Among other things, Marcus Ericsson and Ocon will have no cockpit in the coming season, but back in the second limb and work as a test driver - both retired in Abu Dhabi. Double world champion Fernando Alonso left with an eleventh place. In 2019 he wants to win the Indy 500 and thus complete the "Triple Crown" from the Grand Prix of Monaco, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 500 miles of Indianapolis. Nice gesture: After the race, Hamilton and Vettel together with Alonso made a few "Donut" honor rounds - in addition, the Spaniard was elected "driver of the race".

Signing off for 2018 in style!

Let's cause a scene!

Thanks for the assist @alo_oficial and @ScuderiaFerrari !! # AbuDhabiGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/1tKtCGscfh

Conclusion: That's it then, the Formula 1 Saion 2018. In March, it starts again in Australia. Until then, Ferrari and Red Bull will fiddle and think about how they can break the Mercedes and Hamilton dominance.

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