Vettel closes the book on 2009

Having blown everyone away in qualifying, the very first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner's trophy seemed assuredly Lewis Hamilton's. But the pundits were wrong. The day belonged to "proud" Sebastian Vettel.

The McLaren led away at the start, but Vettel - on a heavier fuel strategy - was able to keep him within 0.8 seconds. On lap 17 Hamilton pitted, two laps before Vettel, and it was clear the Red Bull driver had the lead in his grasp. "In the last sector the car was a dream and I was able to catch up there," said Seb.

There was a problem for Hamilton; his car was suffering unusual right rear brake pad wear and the team brought him in on lap 20 for retirement. It was Lewis' first mechanical failure in the three years he's been racing in F1.

"I couldn't stop the car. I was locking and locking and locking," he complained afterwards.

The Yas Marina circuit was a wonder to behold. It was like seeing a race in the distant future. But the racing seemed quite sober. There was a great overtaking move by one-stopping Kamui Kobayashi on world champion Jenson Button, and a hilarious moment when Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari made an accidental stop in Red Bull Racing's pit.

Then, two laps from the end, we had a proper race. Mark Webber, in second, was struggling with his rear tyres, and Jenson Button was all over him, right alongside twice on the final lap, sliding all over the place. But the Aussie held Button at bay. "Mark's difficult to overtake," noted Jenson, who after claiming his title came here "to enjoy myself. We were clean, but on the edge". Webber admitted the battle gave him "a few grey hairs."

It was Red Bull Racing's fourth 1-2 victory this season. "It's the perfect way to finish the season on a high," said Vettel.