F1: 5 key takeaways from 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lacklustre from Bottas

F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi wasn't a fine race for Valtteri

On this very track, 12 months ago, Valtteri Bottas was able to scamper home with a fantastic win. The night safari was mastered by a clinical performance by the Mercedes driver, someone who's now ended an entire year without a win.

That must be a hard feeling to grapple with, isn't it?

Having said that, it wasn't that a podium was always out of reach of a man, who, for the better part of 2018, has been described as Hamilton's wing-man.

Bottas started well from his second and would chip away from a pack involving Vettel, Raikkonen, and Ricciardo.

Till, the halfway stage, he was nearly four-tenths quicker on the Ferrari of Vettel, the only real threat apart from the two Bulls, both of whom ended with an impressive race.

But finishing fifth, and eventually ending up P5 on the driver's standings, Bottas, who struggled for speed and grip was no match to the faster Red Bulls, that seemed dominant with nearly half a second worth of advantage of the straight line speed.

Once he dropped behind Vettel, he was challenged successfully by the Bulls and would never recover. Thankfully, he'd hold on to his P5.