SEASON FINALE & GRACIAS ALONSO!

It was a dramatic end to the Formula 1 2018 World Championship with a handful of retirements along with drivers racing in their last F1 Grand Prix alongside drivers racing for the last time with their current teams.

The retirements started early with Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) flipping over after collision with the HAAS of Grosjean within the first few laps of the race. Other retirements include Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Marcus Ericsson (Sauber), Esteban Ocon (Force India) and finally Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso).

This race was of course the last time we will see the legendary Fernando Alonso on the F1 grid - having had a very successful F1 career with two World Championships in 2005 and 2006 along with 97 podiums, 32 race wins and a total of 1899 points scored. Alonso is now looking to win the Triple Crown - of which he has completed two thirds of (winning the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24Hrs of LeMan) he will go to IndyCar next year with McLaren in search of the victory at the Indy500 - he will become (if he wins) only the second driver in history to complete this after the legend Graham Hill.

After the race Alonso celebrated alongside Hamilton and Vettel - together (as a trio) they hold a total of 11 World Championships. And when asked if he would visit F1 in the future he responded:

"yes, but not as a commentator"

The F1 circus will now have its winter break as well as some testing for drivers switching teams - F1 will return for testing and then the 2019 Australian Grand Prix in March.