Alonso to sport Vettel tribute helmet in Abu Dhabi

Fernando Alonso will pay tribute to former championship rival Sebastian Vettel for the German's final race in F1, the Spaniard sporting in Abu Dhabi this weekend a special Vettel-inspired helmet.

Vettel and Alonso shared many great battles out on the track during the four-time world champion's fifteen-year tenure in the sport that will come to an end this weekend in Yas Marina.

In 2010, 2011 and 2013, Alonso finished runner-up to Vettel in the Drivers' championship, and their relationship has now come first circle, with Alonso replacing the popular German driver at Aston Martin next season.

Alonso's special one-off lid, emblazoned on either side with the words "Danke Seb" and highlighted with Vettel's striped German colors, was unveiled on Instagram along with a few heartfelt words by the two-time F1 world champion.

"Danke Seb. One last time sharing the track with you, It will be emotional and sad at the same time, but I wish you all the best for your next chapter."

In Thursday's FIA press conference, Alonso and Vettel sat together for the very last time.

"Sometimes we fought for championships, sometimes for seventh place in Japan to the finish line [this year] and we still obviously always enjoyed every single battle and respect each other as much as we could," added Alonso.

"I think my career is going to be linked to Sebastian in a way, because we fought for many things in the best seasons of our lives, probably.

"Even though it was on his side the outcome, always, I think it's going to be very linked."

In F1's most recent Beyond the Grid podcast, Vettel also paid a big tribute to Alonso, a man he considered as one of his toughest opponents.

"We had such close battles at the end of the championships, both in 2010 and 2012 in particular," commented the 53-time Grand Prix winner.

"It is still probably one of my favourite moments memories, just the tension coming into 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, that morning, that build up, for me at least.

"I don't know for the people who were there were probably more relaxed. But for me it was very intense. Both of us were very nervous.

"I rate Fernando really high as a driver. I think he's got so much natural talent, incredible determination, great racing instincts, and all of that he hasn't lost."