OPINION | FIA should 'approve' Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel replicating 2018 donuts in Abu Dhabi

The 2018 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a good one, but it will mostly be remembered for one thing: the donuts performed by three of the sport's greats when it was all said and done.

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes-AMG secured another championship double that year, staving off a challenge from Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel. And Fernando Alonso? Well, his time at McLaren ended after a tumultuous spell that started in 2015.

But 2018 was also the year Alonso took a break from the F1, citing that he needed to rekindle his love for it and motorsport as a whole. And at that same race in 2018, the final one of the season, fans saw something they've probably never seen before: the three mentioned drivers performing donuts on the start/finish straight.

F1's bigwigs aren't too keen on donuts, but they approved on this occasion.

As a reminder, watch the clip below.

Donuts don't get more tasty than this! ??#AbuDhabiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/dpADg2Ddfb

It should happen again

When the 2018 donuts took place, it was a send-off for two-time champion Alonso. Over the years, Alonso had duelled with both Hamilton and Vettel, challenging both for championship gold. And who could ever forget Alonso and Hamilton during that crazy year in 2007 at McLaren-Mercedes!

But in 2022, Vettel will line up on an F1 starting grid for one final time. Having been around (full-time) since 2008 and four F1 World Championships later, he will hang up his helmet and settle down. Of course, chances are that he'll be around in some capacity, but not as a driver.

As such, just like they did in 2018, these three drivers should perform a three-way donut one last time. Vettel and Hamilton had their duels, as did Vettel and Alonso. It would be a fitting send-off for a driver who