Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) witnessed Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) spinning out of the race on his way to his third win of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Vettel's surprising exit took everyone by surprise, except Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) who was busy overtaking both Mark Webber (Red Bull) and Jenson Button (McLaren) in the first lap. He then went on to a much-deserved second-place finish, after a hard-fought battle with eventual race-winner Hamilton.
Even though he was passed by Alonso, Button need not be shy in front of the Spaniard. He also gave his best, and did fend-off Mark Webber, without the use of his malfunctioning KERS after all.
Just for these two battle, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is worth talking about, but everyone will remember of this race, Vettel's first retirement in over a year (since Korea 2010).
The start itself was business as usual for the German. Only in Turn 2, he found himself facing the wrong way, after suddenly loosing air pressure in his right-rear tire. He brought the car back to the pits, only to be told by his mechanics too much damage had already been done to the car.
Vettel was seen going over the data after the incident, understandably puzzled by what had just happened to him. Surely, Red Bull engineers will be looking for answers.
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) also had his moment during the race, when he was left facing the wrong way after a spin, but in the dying stages of the race. He was able to rejoin the track, and maintained his fifth position ahead of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.
Michael Schumacher lost the fight to his team-mate Rosberg, but managed to stay in front of the two Force Indias. Perhaps both Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta were hoping to leapfrog him. Di Resta even pulled a bold first stint on the prime tires, in order to keep the faster option tires for the end.
He lost his gamble, but at least not to the expense of his 10th place as Sauber's Sergio Perez (11th) was unable to take advantage of it.
Rubens Barrichello made the most of his 23rd starting position. After a difficult Saturday, he came back to take a strong 12th place.
Race results – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/26-Mercedes) - 55 laps
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari 150) – 8"4
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/26-Mercedes) – 25"8
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB7-Renault) – 35"7
5 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari 150) – 50"5
6 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W02) – 52"3
7 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W02) – 1'15"9
8 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM04-Mercedes) – 1'17"1
9 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM04-Mercedes) - 1 lap
10 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C30-Ferrari) - 1 lap
11 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C30-Ferrari) - 1 lap
12 - Rubens Barrichello (Williams FW33-Cosworth) - 1 lap
13 - Vitaly Petrov (Renault R31) - 1 lap
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW33-Cosworth) - 1 lap
15 - Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso STR6-Ferrari) - 1 lap
16 - Bruno Senna (Renault R31) - 1 lap
17 - Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus T128-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Jarno Trulli (Lotus T128-Renault) - 2 laps
19 - Timo Glock (Virgin VR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps
20 - Vitantonio Liuzzi (Hispania F111-Cosworth) - 2 laps
Fastest lap of the race by Mark Webber (Red Bull) en 1min42.612s
Retirements
Lap 1 - Sebastian Vettel
Lap 18 - Jérôme d'Ambrosio
Lap 9 - Sébastien Buemi
Lap 48 - Daniel Ricciardo
Sources: Italiaracing.net& Autosport.com
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| "This one's for you mom" – Lewis Hamilton on his Abu Dhabi GP win (Photo: WRi2) |
Vettel's surprising exit took everyone by surprise, except Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) who was busy overtaking both Mark Webber (Red Bull) and Jenson Button (McLaren) in the first lap. He then went on to a much-deserved second-place finish, after a hard-fought battle with eventual race-winner Hamilton.
Even though he was passed by Alonso, Button need not be shy in front of the Spaniard. He also gave his best, and did fend-off Mark Webber, without the use of his malfunctioning KERS after all.
Just for these two battle, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is worth talking about, but everyone will remember of this race, Vettel's first retirement in over a year (since Korea 2010).
The start itself was business as usual for the German. Only in Turn 2, he found himself facing the wrong way, after suddenly loosing air pressure in his right-rear tire. He brought the car back to the pits, only to be told by his mechanics too much damage had already been done to the car.
Vettel was seen going over the data after the incident, understandably puzzled by what had just happened to him. Surely, Red Bull engineers will be looking for answers.
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) also had his moment during the race, when he was left facing the wrong way after a spin, but in the dying stages of the race. He was able to rejoin the track, and maintained his fifth position ahead of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.
Michael Schumacher lost the fight to his team-mate Rosberg, but managed to stay in front of the two Force Indias. Perhaps both Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta were hoping to leapfrog him. Di Resta even pulled a bold first stint on the prime tires, in order to keep the faster option tires for the end.
He lost his gamble, but at least not to the expense of his 10th place as Sauber's Sergio Perez (11th) was unable to take advantage of it.
Rubens Barrichello made the most of his 23rd starting position. After a difficult Saturday, he came back to take a strong 12th place.
Race results – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
1 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren MP4/26-Mercedes) - 55 laps
2 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari 150) – 8"4
3 - Jenson Button (McLaren MP4/26-Mercedes) – 25"8
4 - Mark Webber (Red Bull RB7-Renault) – 35"7
5 - Felipe Massa (Ferrari 150) – 50"5
6 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes MGP W02) – 52"3
7 - Michael Schumacher (Mercedes MGP W02) – 1'15"9
8 - Adrian Sutil (Force India VJM04-Mercedes) – 1'17"1
9 - Paul di Resta (Force India VJM04-Mercedes) - 1 lap
10 - Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber C30-Ferrari) - 1 lap
11 - Sergio Perez (Sauber C30-Ferrari) - 1 lap
12 - Rubens Barrichello (Williams FW33-Cosworth) - 1 lap
13 - Vitaly Petrov (Renault R31) - 1 lap
14 - Pastor Maldonado (Williams FW33-Cosworth) - 1 lap
15 - Jaime Alguersuari (Toro Rosso STR6-Ferrari) - 1 lap
16 - Bruno Senna (Renault R31) - 1 lap
17 - Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus T128-Renault) - 1 lap
18 - Jarno Trulli (Lotus T128-Renault) - 2 laps
19 - Timo Glock (Virgin VR02-Cosworth) - 2 laps
20 - Vitantonio Liuzzi (Hispania F111-Cosworth) - 2 laps
Fastest lap of the race by Mark Webber (Red Bull) en 1min42.612s
Retirements
Lap 1 - Sebastian Vettel
Lap 18 - Jérôme d'Ambrosio
Lap 9 - Sébastien Buemi
Lap 48 - Daniel Ricciardo
Sources: Italiaracing.net& Autosport.com