Fernando Alonso is out and Sebastian Vettel is in, but not until next season. Until then, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and two point battles are the focus for the Ferrari team this weekend. The first of these battles are in the Constructors’ Championship. 44 points separate Ferrari from the third place Williams team. Just behind Ferrari in fifth place is McLaren-Mercedes who are at a 49 point deficit. Even with double points it will take some very strange results for either Ferrari to pass Williams or McLaren to pass Ferrari. But there is a chance.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: Ferrari Says Farewell and Fights for Points
The point positions that are really up for grabs are in the Drivers’ Championship. Outlined in great detail by LWOS writer Dan Lloyd there are only three points separating fourth through sixth place. Vettel is sitting fourth with 159 points. Alonso trails Vettel by two at 157 and with 156 points is Williams’ Valtteri Bottas. You can be sure that Alonso will be doing all he can to outrun those two in his last race in a Ferrari driver suit.
Alonso had nothing but nice things to say addressing the media prior to his final start. He was grateful for the opportunities he had to run for championships three times in the five years he was with Ferrari, though ultimately finishing second each of those times. Alonso went on to say that “…part of my heart will always belong to the Prancing Horse” and that while he won’t be a Ferrari driver after Sunday, “…but from Monday, I become a Ferrari supporter” both in statements from the Ferrari website.
With all the farewells and goodbyes swarming around Fernando Alonso we can’t forget that there is still a current Ferrari driver that will be alongside incoming driver Vettel in Kimi Räikkönen. The Iceman is hopeful for a strong result and strong end of the season for the Ferrari team but he is starting to look ahead at the new look Ferrari team. Vettel and Räikkönen have a friendly relationship as it is and the Finn is hoping that their existing relationship will help them in getting the team back to the front of the grid and more consistently challenging for podiums and wins next year.
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