Abu Dhabi GP 2018: 5 talking points from qualifying

2018 has been yet another phenomenal year. Ferrari have lost to Mercedes who've proven themselves to be indestructible, yet again.

In so doing, there's been no 'Red Letter Day' for the Scuderia who've not only lost out to Mercedes where the world championship is concerned but also the constructor's standing.

Having said that, it would be worthwhile to mention that the Prancing Horse has only been second to Merc and has emerged unscathed of any attacks by Red Bull.

As the final race of a spectacular season is upon us, the mind rewinds back to the start of the season, where Ferrari and Merc went daggers drawn, yet again.

And it can be that scenario once again at the spectacularly lit Yas Marina. Under flashing lights, high-speed corners, the 55-lap contest in the heart of the UAE is all set to unfold a gala ending to the season.

May the best man on the grid succeed.

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#5 Vettel vs Hamilton one last time?

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi

Mercedes have locked out the front row at Abu Dhabi. The Ferraris have done the same but to the second row.

It appears to be a clear Ferrari vs Mercedes battle in the season-ender at Abu Dhabi.

In a way, if one thought about it, it's not entirely different from the season opener at Melbourne, where despite the pole belonging to Hamilton, it was the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel that clinched the battle.

But that was then. Does Vettel have the superior confidence of the kinds Hamilton is riding on?

Well, to be honest, there would be nothing better from a Ferrari perspective than to see Sebastian Vettel end on a high and thus, with a win.

But in order to do so, he'd want to remember who he has to beat: not one but two Mercedes.

Having said that, nothing's impossible for Seb when he puts his mind to it- isn't it?

He was the faster man on the grid toward the end of the 55-lap contest and where the 2016 Grand Prix is concerned, he nearly compelled Rosberg to have his heart in his mouth, given the imperious pace of his Ferrari.

Can sparks fly at Abu Dhabi? Well, where Lewis stands, one will have to think yes!

#4 Can Alonso finish on a high?

Well, to be fair to Alonso, in the changing vagaries of the sport, the only thing that hasn't changed is the Spaniard's grit and commitment toward going flat out there

Fernando Alonso is honestly more than a great of the sport. He's a role model figure. Carlos Sainz Jr.'s idol, a double world champion, a lion-hearted competitor competing in a docile, toothless car, so to speak, what can Alonso do in his final ever F1 race?

Well, to be fair to Alonso, in the changing vagaries of the sport, the only thing that hasn't changed is the Spaniard's grit and commitment toward going flat out there.

We all know the magic he can produce, and his efforts of 2017 indicate to a point in perspective.

Despite driving a horrible, barely drivable car, Alonso challenged the grid at Hungaroring, just at the season break. He was able to set the fastest lap of the race at Hungaroring, in case some forgot and was able to reach sixth in a race utterly dominated by Ferrari.

Later that year, he battled strongly with Hamilton for ninth at Mexico and would eventually concede the place to the faster car, but not before holding up Lewis for two laps.

This year, one saw Fernando limp into the pits right at the start of the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, something that only he could've managed having sustained a rear puncture on the tyre of his McLaren.

How many others- commentators remarked- would've been able to safely make their way into the pits?

Taking all of these into consideration, there's hardly a doubt whether Alonso, starting well outside the top ten can finish within some useful points.

The 55-lap contest will bring curtains to the Alonso legend, one that will be told and re-told for generations to come.

#3 What can Ricciardo do in his final Red Bull race?

It would be brilliant to see Daniel fight for some useful points at the front of the grid

If anyone wanted to understand the 2018 season for Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, it can be understood through a rather polarizing perspective.

On one hand is that part of the season where Ricciardo clinched two wins. This included a great defensive drive at Monaco and the race at Shanghai where Martin Brundle aptly titled him, a "race burglar."

On the other hand, there is this part of the Ricciardo season where he's driven a car that's about as miserable where reliability is concerned as is the McLaren of Fernando Alonso.

There've been as many as eight DNFs this year for Dan-Ric. With no Shoey allowed and no race wins in sight now that the year is coming to a close, it would be brilliant to see Daniel fight for some useful points at the front of the grid.

For now, he starts behind Raikkonen, on fifth. Can he make up some places at the start?

And truth be told, it will be mighty interesting to see what Charles Leclerc- running in seventh at Abu Dhabi- do in his bid to capture some impressive men on the gird ahead of him?

#2 Can we expect something strong from Kimi once again?

Raikkonen assisted teammate Sebastian Vettel to lock out the second row

Reprimanded for his pit-antics at the final qualifying run at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Raikkonen's position at Yas Marina has come under a bit of a scrutiny. That said, Raikkonen assisted teammate Sebastian Vettel to lock out the second row.

In so doing, it's a clear race on hands for now.

Once again, it's going to be Mercedes vs Ferrari at Abu Dhabi, a contest where last year, Ferrari didn't really have the pace when compared to the Silver Arrows.

Specifically for Kimi, who hasn't been on the Abu Dhabi podium since 2012, it seems highly unlikely given the superior form of the troika in front of him- Lewis, Bottas, Sebastian- that he'd be able to land on the podium. So what are we looking for, a P4 or a P5 Kimi?

Well, it's fair to leave you alone; you'll know what to do.

#1 Who will set the fastest lap- Hamilton?

Lewis Hamilton will have a chance to do something special

Well, actually, the man responsible for most fastest laps this year is Valtteri Bottas with four fastest laps this year.

However, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton will have a chance to do something special.

Clocking an impressive 1:34:794, he finished nearly 0.16 seconds ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

In so doing, he's now on the pole. True to his style, he will aim for a great start- a flying start if you like- and he may then open a gap to the second and third place drivers.

That said, there might be an opportunity to set the fastest lap of the race. The last year, race-winner, Valtteri Bottas set the fastest lap at Yas Marina on Lap 52, going at 1:40:650. Here's the next target for Lewis; can he go even better?