Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: As drama unfolded at the Yas Marina Circuit
The most thrilling and adventurous season in Formula One history ended today at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, amidst more drama at the season's final race.
It was a fitting end to an exciting season as Sebastian Vettel bagged a well-deserved first World Championship of his career. The victory meant the Red Bull driver became the youngest champion in the sports’ history, after bagging the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Red Bull team could not have asked for a better Christmas season after they claimed their second major honour in as many weeks. Last week in Brazil the team captured the Constructors’ Title and with this victory they snatched the Drivers’ Championship
as well.
Saturday’s qualifying gave Vettel his tenth pole position of the season. This made his bid for the championship somewhat easier, as he led the rally of the cars right from the start.
The season’s final race began with a bad accident between Mercedes GP driver Michael Schumacher and Vitantonio Liuzzi of Force India on the opening lap. That was when the safety car came on.
During the safety car period Renault was quick to pit Vitaly Petrov, while Mercedes changed the tyres of Nico Rosberg’s car. Both quick pit-stops proved inspired during the course of the race.
The McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, were very fast right from the start. Jenson Button overtook Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso from the starting grid. Mark Webber of Red Bull was behind Alonso in fifth spot, but both drivers failed to get themselves
back into contention in the race, after a round of early pit-stops.
While Vettel kept setting the pace at the front, his team-mate Webber made an early pit-stop to change onto the harder tyres. Alonso made a similar stop four laps later but rejoined the race behind Renault’s Vitaly Petrov, where he stayed for the rest of the
evening. Despite his best attempts Alonso was unable to overtake Petrov and thus lost his chance to claim a third World title.
At the front Robert Kubica was very quick in his Renault and kept Lewis Hamilton behind him for a number of laps. Even though the likes of Kamui Kobayashi, Kubica, Adrian Sutil, Sebastien Buemi, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hulkenberg occupied the middle places
of the rally. But as they went off the track for their tyre changes, positions started shaping anew.
Finally, as the day came to an end, Vettel managed to hold on for a relatively comfortable win. Despite pushing very hard, Hamilton had to settle for second place followed by his team-mate Jenson Button.
Nico Rosberg of Mercedes ended his season with a fourth place finish, while both the Renault drivers came in fifth and sixth.
A disappointed Fernando Alonso was only able to finish in seventh place ahead of Mark Webber, who was also looking to capture his maiden World title after striving hard throughout the season.
With a four-way battle for the title going down to the wire this season, fans will be hoping for more excitement next year.
Tags: