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(Renault Sport F1)
The 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix proved to a mixed race for the Renault powered teams as Infiniti Red Bull Racing went into the final race of the season on the back foot as both Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel were forced to start the race from the pit-lane. Daniel Ricciardo who went into the race guaranteed to finish the championship in third place came through the field to finish the race in 5th place.
Ricciardo's Infiniti Red Bull Racing team mate Sebastian Vettel competing in his final race for the team finished the race in 8th place just ahead of the Ferrari's of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. The German has endured an extremely difficult season in 2014 that yielded just four podium finishes and ending his championship campaign in fifth place in the championship having been comprehensively beaten by team mate Daniel Ricciardo in 2014.
Vettel now moves on to Ferrari alongside Kimi Raikkonen in 2015 following an extremely successful period in his career as all of his championships came with Renault power.
It is also the end of an era at the Lotus F1 Team as the Enstone outfit ended their 19 year association with the French manufacturer which dates back to when the team was Benetton. Lotus will switch to a supply of Mercedes power units from next season onwards. Romain Grosjean finished the race in 13th place just behind Toro Rosso's Jean Eric Vergne who may have competed in his final Grand Prix with reports from France and Spain that Carlos Sainz Jr is set to drive alongside Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso next season.
It was a disappointing end to a difficult season for Pastor Maldonado as the Lotus F1 Team drivers race was cut short as his Renault power unit caught fire on lap 26 of the race.
Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat competing in his final race for the Italian team before moving to Infiniti Red Bull Racing next season was also forced to retire due to a power unit failure on lap 14.
The Caterham F1 Team were back on track for the final race of the season having missed both the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix. Will Stevens, competing in his first ever Formula One Grand Prix did a great job to bring his car home in 17th place however his team mate Kamui Kobayashi was left disappointed as the Japanese driver was forced to retire from the race after 42 laps.
Speaking following the race Renault Sports Head of Trackside Operations Remi Taffin stated:
'A mixed bag for us today, but we can certainly take a lot of heart from Red Bull’s fantastic fight back. Despite the team having already secured second in the constructors’ championship, Daniel and Seb again showed why they are both world-class drivers. Their results also demonstrate that, even at this late stage of the year, we haven’t stopped pushing hard.
On the other side of the coin I should apologise to Lotus and Pastor, and Toro Rosso and Daniil, for the PU problems that ended their races early. We still have much to do ahead of next season but I can confirm that we will continue to improve across all areas.
Having said that I must thank everyone at Renault Sport F1, as well as our technical partners Mecachrome and Total, for all their hard work this season. It has not been easy but together we have made huge progress and never given up.
Indeed, I know that everyone at Viry is committed to the challenge laid down this year and, on their behalf, would like to congratulate the new world champion, Lewis Hamilton, for his outstanding season with Mercedes.
It’s that success which renews our own efforts to reclaim the titles in 2015.
Finally, I’d like to thank Sebastian for his dedication to the Renault family over the years. Together with Red Bull Racing he has added a new chapter to our rich Formula 1 history and I’d like to wish him all the very best for the future.'
© Ben Johnston 2014
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