TREMAYNE: Why Abu Dhabi is the perfect setting for Hamilton’s epic journey with Mercedes to end

Ten years ago, in Malaysia, Lewis Hamilton scored his second victory for Mercedes. His F1 W05 Hybrid had let him down first time out in Australia when it dropped on to five of its six cylinders at the start and had to be retired at the end of the second lap.

But in Sepang he narrowly fended off reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull to start from his 33rd pole position, equalling Jim Clark’s one-time record which still stood as the best for a British driver. And he dominated the race with ease, beating team-mate Nico Rosberg, who had been victorious Down Under, by 17.313s.