Five takes from F1 season

THE 2017 Formula One (F1) season drew to a close as Finland's Valtteri Bottas notched up his second win of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in pretty much the same fashion as preceding seasons in the Turbo-Hybrid era in F1 have: a Mercedes victory. Most importantly though, Mercedes has won all drivers' and constructors' titles in the current era. With new tyres, engine and design regulations, and with no reigning champion to defend the title, you'd be excused for thinking otherwise, as Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel opened his account with a win at F1's curtain raiser in Melbourne. Even Ferrari's consistency in the early parts of the season would suggest so, despite what many would agree, is an inferior package.

However, Hamilton clawed his way back from the German's lead to win his fourth drivers' championship, with two races to spare in the 20-race calendar. The season also marked the final of Felipe Massa's career and that of F1's iconic logo, a legacy of former F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone. With that being said, here's a look at five of the takeaways from the season.

Revitalised Lewis

Nico Rosberg's retirement shortly after winning the 2016 drivers' title also marked the end of tensions that had split the Mercedes garage in previous years.

While the tension between childhood friends and former junior formula teammates - Rosberg and Hamilton - may have been detrimental to the harmony of the team, it provided much entertainment and nostalgia among fans, reminiscent of the days when McLaren had a similar but more pronounced divide between all-time greats Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.

The atmosphere in 2017 was more relaxed as Hamilton got along with his new teammate, the quietly confident Bottas who performed well in his first year at Mercedes. A resilient and focused Hamilton paired with an incredibly quick and reliable Mercedes resulted in his fourth drivers' title while achieving the most pole positions in F1 history in the process. He has cemented his place as a great.

Ferrari fizzles

Much hope pinned on the Scuderia's lead driver Vettel to give Hamilton and the dominant Mercedes team a run for their money. He duly delivered with two early wins in the season, putting the Silver Arrows on notice that the titles might not be certainties this time out. However, mental lapses from Vettel in Baku and Singapore cost himself and Ferrari crucial points while reliability issues and other team errors towards the end of the season ensured that Ferrari's title challenge all but ended in smoke. It is now a decade since a Ferrari driver last won the championship: Kimi Räikkönen in 2007. But there are signs that Ferrari is getting its act together to bring the fight to Mercedes. Hopefully it's close enough that we will get a chance to see two four-time champions going head-to-head for a fifth.

Alonso shows class

While having one of the best cars is a great asset to any championship calibre driver, more is said of a driver's talent when he or she outperforms the capabilities of the machinery. This most fittingly describes double world champion Fernando Alonso.

For much of the season, the Spaniard cut a frustrated figure, as he had to contend with a disappointing Honda engine. Even taking the opportunity to skip the flagship Monaco Grand Prix to race in its cross-Atlantic equivalent, the Indy 500. Frustrated and unhappy he may have been, he still turned out spectacular performances, at least when his Honda engine didn't fail him.

Much will be expected of McLaren as it departs from a partnership that promised so much but delivered so little as the team takes on Renault power for the 2018 season. If that brings the McLarens up to a level to compete for race wins, 2018 looks set to be an interesting season.

Ocon's star shines brightest

Of the three drivers who made full season debuts in 2017, one star shone the brightest, that of Force India's Esteban Ocon.

The 21-year-old Frenchman started his career in 2016 as a mid-season replacement at the now defunct Manor racing team before being paired up with veteran Sergio Pérez at Force India this season.

Ocon consistently matched his more experienced teammate in a fight that at times was costly for the team. But both Ocon and Pérez made amends and the team closed out the season well. Ocon has also started this F1 career on the back of 27 consecutive finishes. Part of the Mercedes driver development programme, it is only a matter of time before Ocon is called up to the Mothership.

Max and Danny

While Ocon and Pérez's duels were the most exciting to watch, Red Bull Racing's prodigious talent Max Verstappen and the effervescent Aussie Daniel Ricciardo were probably the most even pair on the field albeit having rather different personalities. Both drivers are multiple Grand Prix winners and have championship aspirations. Most importantly, they're equipped with the talent to get there. The 20-year-old Verstappen - who signed an extension at Red Bull - has already proven himself as the most likely of the upcoming generation of drivers to be champion. If Red Bull do not emerge as contenders next season, Ricciardo's best bet may be to join Ferrari in 2019.