Abu Dhabi GP 2018: 5 talking points from qualifying

#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.