Lewis Hamilton: Abu Dhabi is awesome

Give the five-time drivers' world champion a choice where to cap off an F1 season - he'd chose Yas Marina Circuit

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Lewis Hamilton is enjoying his place in the sun - and the 2018 world champion wouldn't want to cap off another storming Formula One season anywhere other than Yas Marina Circuit.

The Mercedes driver was looking relaxed, but focused when he spoke to The National on Thursday evening and described Abu Dhabi as the ideal host for the final race of the Formula One season.

“This place is awesome. It really is the best end of year race," Hamilton said.

"For the last race, you often want to bring your family and there’s no better place to host guests. The weather is fantastic. Imagine being in a wintery place right now - if we were in Silverstone right now, it just wouldn’t be great.

epa07182879 British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes AMG GP ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix 2018 at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 22 November 2018. The Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will take place on 25 November 2018.  EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
Mercedes GP driver Lewis Hamilton wouldn't want to be anywhere else than Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi at this time of year. EPA 

"So it just ends up being the perfect end to the year. The service here, also, hospitality wise, is second to none.

“I absolutely love it here,” the world champion added. “I’ve always had a good time when I’ve come out here.”

The five-time world champion first visited the UAE 12 years ago, he revealed, on a trip to Dubai with his family, and marvels at how much the country has evolved since then.

epa07182871 Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso (L) of McLaren and British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (R) of Mercedes AMG GP arrive at the circuit ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix 2018 at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 22 November 2018. The Formula One Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi will take place on 25 November 2018.  EPA/SRDJAN SUKI
Hamilton walks with McLaren driver Fernando Alonso after a press conference. EPA 

“It’s been quite interesting seeing the UAE grow so much. The first time I came to the UAE was 2006. I didn’t come to Abu Dhabi, I went to Dubai with the family for Christmas, and the city was so much smaller then; it is so vast now. And they are still building."

He admits that he has not had much time to explore the capital, but “really likes” what he has been able to see.

“Every time I’ve come, I’ve been working, so its back and forth to the hotel, so I don’t get a lot of time to get into the city so much, so I wouldn’t say I’ve gone out and spent tonnes of nights in the city, but from everything I’ve seen, I really like it.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 22:  Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton is the 2018 drivers' champion. Getty

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