Race: Double Red Bull victory in the last Grand Prix of the year!

Red Bull Renault ends its 2009 season in style by allowing its two drivers to secure a one-two finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the first of its name. Sebastian Vettel takes advantage of Lewis Hamilton’s retirement due to mechanical issues to win while Webber follows. The Australian perfectly resisted reigning World Champion Jenson Button for more than five laps. Kobayashi and Buemi are in the points.

The first Sunset Grand Prix was also the last of the 2009 season. To perfectly conclude the year 2009, Red Bull put on a grand show, despite the rule limiting new engines to eight. The team partnered with Renault for 2009 and soon to renew its contract for 2010, expertly managed its engine quota to provide the best performance/reliability balance. The stakes were high since the engines, having already covered an average of 600 km, could fail at any moment. It was indeed reliability that prevented Lewis Hamilton from finishing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the lead. He retired after only 20 laps due to a rear-right brake issue.

Hamilton out of the race, Vettel was the closest man to sign a 4th victory this season. Heavier than Webber by a few kilos on the grid, the German made a good start, narrowly missing taking the lead from Hamilton. Vettel then managed his strategy and tires to become the first driver to win the Abu Dhabi GP and to be the last F1 winner for the five (long) upcoming winter months.

The strategies were decided on one or two stops. Grip issues arose at the end of the race where Webber notably managed to balance perfectly to keep a very threatening Jenson Button at bay during the last 10 laps. The Australian even performed doughnuts for the spectators after crossing the finish line in second position, a gesture still prohibited by the FIA…

The Brawn GP team proves they deserve their 2009 constructors’ title by placing their two drivers in 3rd and 4th positions. Behind Barrichello, it’s Nick Heidfeld who secures a very respectable fifth place. The German scores the last points for BMW in the world championship, as the team is withdrawing from the 2010 season – perhaps now with some regrets.

Even more impressive, the performance of young Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver, currently living in France, is the replacement for the recovering Timo Glock. In the Toyota, he not only finished ahead of Trulli, his teammate, but in 6th place. He thus scores two points in the second F1 Grand Prix of his career and likely secures a seat with Toyota next year. Kobayashi notably showcased his skills tonight by executing a very fine overtaking maneuver on Button, the reigning champion, taking advantage of a one-stop strategy that differed from the leaders.

Sébastien Buemi is the last man to score points in 2009. He thus demonstrates his potential while his teammate at Toro Rosso, Jaime Alguersuari, had to retire due to running out of fuel. The Spaniard came into the pits on the 18th lap but confused his team with Red Bull. He couldn’t refuel and went back on track for a slow lap to save fuel.

Rosberg in the first Williams is in the top 10, as is Kubica (BMW), who spun while trying to resist Jarno Trulli (Toyota).

Heikki Kovalainen is 11th after having made a very good start. The Finn started from the 18th position after his penalty and gearbox change. He managed to keep Räikkönen behind him throughout the race. His compatriot is therefore 12th and the first Ferrari. Fisichella is much further back in 16th position. The Italian received a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane. In the end, neither Ferrari nor McLaren scored points today. Both teams were fighting for third place in the constructors’ championship, and so it is McLaren-Mercedes that remains third with a one-point lead over Scuderia Ferrari.

Nakajima is 13th, ahead of Alonso who could only fight at the back of the pack today. The Spaniard had a poor start and was overtaken by his teammate, Grosjean. The Frenchman held his position for about ten laps before giving it up. Grosjean spent the entire race in 16th place before losing two positions in the final laps due to very damaged tires. Both Renaults were on a one-stop strategy.

Force India ends the season as they started it, at the bottom of the standings. The circuit did not benefit the VJM02, and the team has already been focusing on 2010 for a few weeks. Sutil is 15th, Liuzzi 17th.

The season thus ends with a victory for Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel, the strongest man in the second half of the season. Button’s podium nevertheless confirms his title and Brawn GP’s crowning as World Constructors’ Champion. The season is therefore over, thank you for following it with us and see you at the end of the month for the first Private Tests of 2009/10.

Results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Sunday, November 01, 2009: