RACE DEBRIEF

    There was plenty of drama and intrigue on track in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, but what was happening off track in the build-up to the final Grand Prix weekend of 2017? Here's our social media round-up of some of the highlights...

    Double take

    *Rest assured (a Renault-powered) Fernando Alonso will be back on the F1 grid with McLaren next season, but the double world champion notably squeezed in not one but two sportscar tests between Brazil and Abu Dhabi... *

    A hero's welcome

    World champion Lewis Hamilton headed back to Mercedes' UK bases to visit those who made his 2017 success possible and express his gratitude.

    Christmas comes early

    The F1 paddock will not be entirely together again until next March in Melbourne - no excuses needed then for some early yuletide festivities.

    Belly dance, or belly laugh?

    To Toro Rosso's question, we venture the answer might be 'no'?

    #F1Esports interloper

    Abu Dhabi was hosting not only the last Grand Prix of the year, but also the very first F1 Esports Series Grand Final. We hadn't spotted this F1 veteran's name on the entry list though...

    Lewis, come back

    Hamilton received an interesting invite to return to Abu Dhabi next month, from a man with 14 world titles to the Mercedes star's four - WWE legend, Triple H...

    A match made in heaven?

    Probably not. Nico Rosberg and Maria Sharapova both attended the Grand Prix - looks like their respective skill sets are not transferable.

    Alonso returns to winning ways

    He was so impressed with one of the #F1Esports finalists that Fernando Alonso signed him up to his very own squad - and McLaren team mate Stoffel Vandoorne was equally awe-struck by the newcomer's skills behind the wheel!

    Farewell Felipe

    After 269 Grand Prix starts, saying goodbye was never going to be easy...

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    Famous faces

    There were celebrity guests aplenty in the Yas Marina paddock, including footballers, DJs, musicians, cycling - and motorcycling stars, and more...

    Nice pom-poms!

    They say there is no such thing as unwelcome weather, as long as you are dressed appropriately. We're not sure which forecast Force India were looking at...

    Hamming it up

    Last word goes to the world champions - not content with both titles, they were also gunning for the 'best gag of the year' crown...