Sebastian Vettel says he “tried everything” to beat 2018 Formula 1 title rival Lewis Hamilton to victory in the seaso💖n-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Vettel passed the struggling Valtteri Bottas for second place at mid-distance𓆏 and set about hunting down race-leader Hamilton, who had made his pit stop much earlier than the Ferrari driver.

The German, who missed out on the 2018 crown two ra♈ces ago in Mexico, reduced Hamilton’s lead in the closing stages but the Merce🌟des driver held on to record his 11th victory of the season.

“I tried everything until the last lap, I really enjoyed today,” Vettel saiওd🍌.

“Catcꩲhing a little bit, a little bit, but I think he [Lewiꦺs Hamilton] controlled the pace at the front.

“I would have liked it to be a l𝄹ittle more wheel-to-wheel but it’s been a tough ye🐠ar, a long year and a lot of races.

“I will try, we will try, I think our whole team will try to c😼ome back stronger to make sure we give him a harder run into next year.”

The result meant Vettel ended👍 the season 88 points a𓆏drift of Hamilton in the drivers’ standings, marking the Briton’s most comfortable title triumph yet.

Asked if he thinks he had the car to win the tiღtle, Vettel replied: “I don’t know. I think yes, we could have been closer.

“But I think if you’re realistic I don’t see the last 𓆉few races where we were able to put the car on pole, lead from the front and do the race our styꦉle.

“I think the races that we had they were always sort of starting just behind or further back, coming back, working our way up through the field, passing some cars and using t🐼he speed of the race that I think has been better but ultimately, not quick en🤡ough.

“But the way I see it, I think it⭕’s❀ well done by Lewis and Mercedes, they were just better than us this year.

“He’s the champion and he deserves to b🌼e the champion.”