“For it to end like that, I’m not so sure,” said Lando when asked for his take on an unforgettable title decider. His words could have just as easily applied to our race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with P7 – and a slow puncture – for Lando and P12 for Daniel not entirely living up to a season in which we’ve enjoyed some incredible highs. Nevertheless, the season finale certainly got everyone talking, and here’s what social media made of our time in Abu Dhabi…

The weekend began with news of Daniel’s new body art.

Just remember, Daniel, a tattoo of Fernando Alonso is for life, not just for Christmas.

The Secret Santa everyone wants…

Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward will get his first taste of F1 machinery when he drives the MCL35M at the Abu Dhabi test this week. He wasted no time getting familiar with the Yas Marina Circuit by pumping in some hot laps with Eva Longoria and Gerard Butler in tow.

And yes, @_delena_est, Pato was drivin’ drivin’.

Another grand prix, another pair of new lids:

Going into the weekend, we promised that our striking McLaren Racing x Vuse livery, designed by emerging UAE-based artist Rabab Tantawy, would turn heads and it certainly did:

...that’ll explain Lando’s pace in qualifying.

Well, that, and a few words of support via text from Spider-Man:

Now there’s an idea…

It’s safe to say that many of you were excited for the final qualifying of the year:

When ‘Lando’ is your first word…

Both Lando and Daniel made it into the top-10 shootout, and we get the impression @Jake_crossss was keen for us to ‘push’…

…which we did:

Lando achieved his best qualifying position since his pole position at the Russian Grand Prix back in September:

Wait, what was that, @DR3Lau?

Say it again?

One more time?

Oh yeah.

THIS. IS. SHOEY!!!

Ahead of the race, lots of you were taking the opportunity to wish us luck for one last time this season. We really do have #FansLikeNoOther…

Love the antlers, team...

And these gingerbread biscuits!

Bwoah. Sunday’s race marked Kimi Räikkönen's 349th and last in Formula 1.

After the opening exchanges of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Lando had dropped to P5 and Daniel remained P10.

But our efforts to sign off the season with a sizeable haul of points were thwarted as an unfortunately timed Safety Car limited Daniel’s ability to fight the Alpines of Alonso and Esteban Ocon for points, while a slow puncture cost Lando a top-five finish.

We didn’t give up, and with a fresh set of Mediums, Lando went on a charge to salvage P7.

A rollercoaster end to a rollercoaster year – one with some truly unforgettable highs for the team:

We’re going to miss you, but don’t worry, a new era of Formula 1 awaits. It’s just 97 days ‘til lights out at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Not that we’re counting or anything… 

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