F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Hamilton & Verstappen face-to-face again on media day

"Looking back, obviously 2020 wasn't a good year for me and I was at the point of 'do I want to drive?, do I want to stop?. Hopes were high as the team was performing well in 2020 but it came differently. Those years have been important for me - one for driving and one for the room to grow off track. Some of the things that I have addressed. Also from a sporting point of view, we were racing each other quite a lot the past two years.

"It's a different race. It's a lot more busy. A lot more things happen. It's very clean if you start in the top five. Also, what was showing me the effort a team in the midfield, even more effort that maybe doesn't get any reward. The commitment is as high as the front.

"Lots of different aspects that taught me lots of different lessons about life and racing."

Even from my first race here in 2009, when I had brake failure, I remember the feeling of retiring.

I've had ups and downs at this race.

I'm not focused on stuff that's behind me. I am trying to be at my best moving forwards.

I don't look at the past.

"A range of different emotions. When I found out the news, with six races to go, I went in with the approach to enjoy each race. Coming into the race, it's a bit sad. I would love to continue but it's not going to be the case. Many drivers would kill to drive one race let alone three years. I am very grateful." 

"We're having an up and down season. It could be good like last year. We will see how it goes. In Brazil, it wasn't as good as I wanted. Hopefully I can continue like the result I had last year. Good memories."

Coming back to the sport is never a guarantee that you will be competitive, and still enjoy it.

I had concerns two years ago when I did a demo.

Last year I wasn't 100% happy with the performance. This year I am much happier with the car, and ready for the next challenge.

You can't underestimate coming back to the sport, in case Seb wants advice!

It will be strange not to have him at the first race. We enjoyed every battle, we respected each other as much as we could.

My career is linked to Seb's because we fought for great things in the best seasons of our lives.

He was a nuisance! We always had such great battles.

He will probably come back! We've seen other drivers come back.

This is his last race... but he'll be back. Formula One has a way of sucking you back in.

"There's so many moments to choose from. The first in a way standout. Every time is highlights. It's moments. I also enjoyed the last two races even though there was no success. I learned a lot. I grew. I had a good time together with the team. It's not fair to pick just one race."

"You better ask Fernando! I feel OK. It's difficult in a way to grasp. We will see. I guess it will be a bit different. It does feel a bit different already today. How much and how it can be, I don't know yet. You will have to ask me again."

Tsunoda, Alonso, Vettel, Hamilton and Latifi are in part one.

Ralf Schumacher rages at Mick dumping: “That’s not how to deal with an employee”

The grid in full...

Hulkenberg is back for 2023!

Hello and welcome to Crash.net's live blog for media day at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

We will be bringing you all the LIVE reaction from the various press conferences and interviews at the Yas Marina Circuit.