Mercedes race engineer to Nico Rosberg (currently third): "It's critical now that we pass Verstappen."

Absolute silence on the pitwall and back at the Mercedes base in Brackley. Pure focus on their two drivers. 

It's like mission control at Houston as a rocket blasts off into space.

Lewis Hamilton leads by 4.4 seconds.

Out in front, Lewis Hamilton is running away with the race, but as things stand that will not be enough. Nico Rosberg is third and if he finishes there he will be champion.

Image source, AP

Daniil Kvyat is on his bike. Literally. He's had to retire after pulling his Toro Rosso over with a problem and a marshal has passed him a bicycle and off he goes back to the pits.

"A lot of overall sliding on these tyres," says Lewis Hamilton.

He's done nine laps on the softs. Max Verstappen is still plugging away on those 17-laps old supersofts.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, .

Chris Ward: Gutted for Jenson Button, such a cruel way to finish your career.

Stephen Ward: Too bad failure couldn't have happened to other Brit. Will miss Button. A true class act. Beautifully smooth driver to watch.

James Liggins: Just typifies the last few years for him. Jenson Button, a great driver but sorely let down by his car.

Another retirement? Daniil Kvyat pulls over in sector two. 

Double yellows are being waved as marshals race to get the Toro Rosso behind the barriers.

Red Bull race engineer to Max Verstappen (currently second): "OK Max, this is all we need at the moment. Excellent job. Keep it clean."

Image source, Getty Images

It's a sad end to Jenson Button's F1 career. He's the third retirement of the race after Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas. 

On the track, Lewis Hamilton does the fastest lap of the race with a 1:46.107 to increase his advantage over Max Verstappen to 2.6 seconds. Verstappen has yet to stop for fresh rubber.

History Lass: Hamilton reckons he is the heir to Senna and instead backs the drivers up. What a joke.

Reece Young:@LewisHamilton, external backing everyone into everyone. Very, very intelligent driving.

Image source, EPA

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Abu Dhabi

"I don't think we've ever had a failure like this," says Button in a resigned tone.

It's a right suspension failure for Jenson Button as he limps the McLaren back to the pits.

He pulls over and stands on top of his car as huge applause erupts from the stands.

Oh no! No!

Jenson Button is of the track and has a problem.

"We have a failure guys," says the Briton.

He's out. His final race in F1 ends in retirement. So disappointing.

Mercedes race engineer to Nico Rosberg: "Look after the right front tyre."

Image source, EPA

Meer Shah: The sun may be setting in Abu Dhabi but the championship race is lighting up.

How far can Max Verstappen go on his supersofts? He's absolutely hammered them getting up through the field to second and you'd imagine they can't last much longer. He's 0.6 seconds ahead of Nico Rosberg in second.

Mercedes engineer to Nico Rosberg: "Don't take any risks, you're doing the right thing."

Image source, AP

Nico Rosberg doesn't want to get stuck behind Max Verstappen so attempts a move, the Dutchman holds him off though and Rosberg will have to wait for another chance.

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst

Verstappen is still in the race and he is totally entitled to go for it because we don't know what their strategy is.

Max Verstappen has worked his way into the top 10 and after the flurry of stops he is now second. 

Rosberg is told by his race engineer: "They are making Verstappen slow on purpose so you need to get past him."

Daniel Ricciardo pits from the lead so Lewis Hamilton is back in P1.