Abu Dhabi do! Raikkonen wins but Super Seb shows title hunger in race to remember
By Phil Duncan
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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.
Smash: Nico Rosberg flies over Karthikeyan's car in a spectacular crash
Off and running: Lewis Hamilton made an impressive start from pole position
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Time for Mark Webber to hand over his RB to Kimi - then we will see some great racing - waterdog, Malaga, Spain ======================================================================================== I too would love to see that, but I don't think it'll happen. Christian Horner wouldn't want to see his Golden Boy Seb being outclassed by a quicker driver.
- HJ , Somewhere, 05/11/2012 12:50
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