The inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was also the first ever day-to-night race in the sport’s history, with the start taking place at sunset and the chequered flag waving under dark skies.
The Yas Marina Circuit hosted the final round of the 2009 season, with Jenson Button already securing the world championship at the previous race in Brazil.
Lewis Hamilton, driving the KERS-boosted McLaren, scored pole position on Saturday, with Sebastian Vettel completing the front row and Mark Webber in third. Rubens Barrichello and Button were fourth and fifth in the Brawn GP cars.
The pole-sitter opened up a small lead in the early stages but Vettel and Webber kept the McLaren in sight, despite the latter suffering contact with Barrichello on the run to the first corner on the opening lap.
Vettel moved ahead of Hamilton in the first round of pit stops, before the British driver’s car was hit by brake problems. Things got so bad that Hamilton was forced to retire on lap 18, promoting Webber and Button to second and third.
Jaime Alguersuari was the only other retirement after a gearbox issue. He had awkwardly pitted in the Red Bull box by accident and registered a DNF several laps before Hamilton exited the race. Vettel continued to extend his lead through the second half of the race, with Webber next up, slowly losing touch with his team-mate.
The German eventually crossed the line 17 seconds clear of the other Red Bull car, scoring his fourth win of the 2009 season. The result helped him claim second in the drivers’ championship, beating Barrichello.
Webber was second, despite falling into the clutches of Button and enjoying a frantic battle in the final laps. The Brawn GP driver had previously fended off rookie Kamui Kobayashi, who was one-stopping in his Toyota.
Barrichello was fourth, ahead of Nick Heidfeld, Kobayashi, Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Buemi. Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica finished just outside the points, while Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso’s tough year concluded in 12th and 14th respectively.
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Lewis Hamilton, driving the KERS-boosted McLaren, scored pole position on Saturday, with Sebastian Vettel completing the front row and Mark Webber in third. Rubens Barrichello and Button were fourth and fifth in the Brawn GP cars.
The pole-sitter opened up a small lead in the early stages but Vettel and Webber kept the McLaren in sight, despite the latter suffering contact with Barrichello on the run to the first corner on the opening lap.
Vettel moved ahead of Hamilton in the first round of pit stops, before the British driver’s car was hit by brake problems. Things got so bad that Hamilton was forced to retire on lap 18, promoting Webber and Button to second and third.
Jaime Alguersuari was the only other retirement after a gearbox issue. He had awkwardly pitted in the Red Bull box by accident and registered a DNF several laps before Hamilton exited the race. Vettel continued to extend his lead through the second half of the race, with Webber next up, slowly losing touch with his team-mate.
The German eventually crossed the line 17 seconds clear of the other Red Bull car, scoring his fourth win of the 2009 season. The result helped him claim second in the drivers’ championship, beating Barrichello.
Webber was second, despite falling into the clutches of Button and enjoying a frantic battle in the final laps. The Brawn GP driver had previously fended off rookie Kamui Kobayashi, who was one-stopping in his Toyota.
Barrichello was fourth, ahead of Nick Heidfeld, Kobayashi, Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Buemi. Nico Rosberg and Robert Kubica finished just outside the points, while Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso’s tough year concluded in 12th and 14th respectively.
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