Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2011) RESULT

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (2011) - t started as expected...

Formula One returns to Abu Dhabi for the penultimate race of the season, with Vettel on pole and the McLarens behind. Another Vettel win?

The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is certainly a spectacular venue. It doesn’t yet have the soul of the traditional F1 circuits in Europe, but it is a special race (the only day-night race in the F1 calendar) especially for the 2011 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who is the only man to have ever won on the circuit.

And it looked as if the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be another notch on Vettel’s dominance of the 2011 Grand Prix circus.

Vettel was on pole and got away well, but a sudden puncture on the first lap threw Vettel off and out of the race before the race had really started, gifting Hamilton an open track and the chance to show the world just how good he can be. And he didn’t disappoint.

Despite the efforts of Alonso – who jumped from fifth on the grid to take third ahead of Button and then second when Vettel went off – Hamilton was supreme. Maybe he has his mojo back – or maybe Vettel’s retirement took the pressure off – but Hamilton did a great impression of Vettel in controlling the race from the second corner of the first lap through to a well deserved victory.

Button had a few problems with his KERS – having to re-boot it constantly to get any help from the power boost – and secured third after keeping Webber – who pitted on the last lap for a mandatory tyre change – off the podium in fourth.

But the day belonged to Hamilton, even if Jenson’s impressive third place in difficult circumstances made Button team winner at McLaren for the season. The first time Hamilton has been beaten by a team mate over a season.

Just Brazil to go.