Abu Dhabi do! Raikkonen wins but Super Seb shows title hunger in race to remember

PUBLISHED: 09:50 EST, 4 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:42 EST, 4 November 2012

There have been doubts over whether Sebastian Vettel deserves a third Formula One world title. Not any more.

After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the double world champion departs the Middle East with a 10-point cushion over Fernando Alonso, after arguably the finest drive of his career.

It was Kimi Raikkonen who won, for the first time since his comeback, after taking advantage of yet another mechanical failure for Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren.

But, for once, Hamilton’s demise, on lap 20 of this most spectacular of races, did not top the bill.
Instead the Abu Dhabi paddock was left marvelling, firstly at the brilliance of Vettel after the Red Bull ace stormed from the back of the pack to take the final spot on the podium, and secondly, at one of the greatest grands prix in recent memory.

Balancing act: Kimi Raikkonen celebrates winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Three amigos: Raikkonen won from Fernando Alonso (left) and Sebastian Vettel (right)

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Result

1 Kimi Raikkonen
2 Fernando Alonso
3 Sebastian Vettel
4 Jenson Button
5 Pastor Maldonado
6 Kamui Kobayashi
7 Felipe Massa
8 Bruno Senna
9 Paul Di Resta
10 Daniel Ricciardo

Vettel rode his luck. Of that there can be no question.

A banzai move on Bruno Senna on the opening lap could have easily destroyed his race after he started from the pit-lane following a qualifying fuel misdemeanour.

He then crashed through a polystyrene board after narrowly missing the back of Daniel Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso. While the emergence of the safety car just moments after his second stop was the stuff of Red Bull fairytale.

But none of the above should detract from his performance.

Main man: Vettel (right) came from the back of the grid to finish third

Second best: Alonso remains behind Vettel in the race for the drivers' title

Who is favourite in the final races?

USA GRAND PRIX: November 18

The debuting United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas resembles something of a journey into the unknown, so Alonso will hold out hope he can close on Vettel.

BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX: November 25

This year’s season-ending race at Interlagos has played host to three Red Bull victories in as many years. As such, Vettel remains the overwhelming favourite to win the race and the title.

A display of determination, skill and passion culminated in Vettel passing Jenson Button's McLaren in the closing stages for third place, just as when Lotus speedster Raikkonen last won a grand prix in Belgium in 2009.

‘I said to the guys before the race that I trust them 100 per cent and they can trust me,’ a delighted Vettel said afterwards. ‘If you look where we started it was the worst possible spot but we gave everything we had and I think when you do that you cannot fail.’

Alonso’s brilliance around the Yas Marina Circuit was evident, too. The Spaniard finished second, his sumptuous pass on Mark Webber’s Red Bull on the opening lap setting the tone for another fine performance.

‘Tonight I will go to sleep thinking the glass is half-full rather than half-empty,’ Alonso said, but the double world champion knows a golden opportunity to slash the deficit to Vettel has passed by.

Driving through the pack: Sebastian Vettel started at the back of the grid

There are those who will tell you that Alonso merits the title this season after a superb year.

But with just two races left, it is the 25-year-old from Germany who appears destined to beat his Ferrari rival to a hat-trick of championships, joining the likes of Sir Jackie Stewart and Ayrton Senna in motor racing folklore.

After three dull races in Japan, Korea and India, F1 bounced back spectacularly to life here at a circuit which had ironically failed to capture the imagination since it made its debut back in 2009.

There was a stunning eighth-lap crash when Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes leap-frogged the back of Narain Karthikeyan’s HRT and then Webber found himself at the centre of the drama.

Clash: Force India's Nico Hulkenberg, Paul di Resta and Sauber's Sergio Perez touch wheels after the start of the race

At one stage the Australian was under investigation by stewards for two separate incidents with the Williams of Pastor Maldonado and then Felipe Massa’s Ferrari. Webber escaped punishment on both counts but it was to be third time unlucky for the 36-year-old after he was caught up in a three-way crash on lap 39.

Sauber’s Sergio Perez, who will replace Hamilton at McLaren next season, was given a stop-go penalty after cutting across the Lotus of Romain Grosjean, who then swerved into the path of Webber. Grosjean and Webber retired.

Earlier, for the second time in five races, a mechanical failure forced pole-sitter Hamilton out while leading.

‘I’m gutted,’ he said. ‘I had really good pace all weekend and I feel certain we could have won today. I had a fuel pressure problem. It was very sudden. The car just died on me.’

Off track: Nico Hulkenberg crashes with Bruno Senna

On Vettel’s performance, he added: ‘To start from the pitlane and end up third is probably unheard of.

‘Great job, but that guy has definitely got something on his side. He must be the luckiest person in Formula One.’

Lucky or not, Vettel will arrive in the unfamiliar surroundings of Austin, Texas in a fortnight’s time knowing that if he wins and Alonso can manage no better than fifth, Formula One greatness beckons with a race to spare.