Vettel closes the season in Abu Dhabi

Red Bull may have regrets. The team which soared at the start of the summer, which was able to benefit from one of the most formidable single-seaters on the grid throughout the year, perhaps let slip the world awards it could have gleaned. . During this last Grand Prix, in Abu Dhabi, while we were waiting Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), the Red Bulls displayed an excellent level of performance.

From the start, Sebastian Vettel, second, threatens the pole sitter, Lewis Hamilton. Lighter and benefiting from SREC, the Briton nevertheless seemed to be the favorite in the first rounds. But, instead of escaping, the 2008 world champion remains threatened by Sebastian Vettel. After his first refueling, the McLaren driver complained of vibrations and returned to his pit to retire.

In the meantime, thanks to a few quick laps before refueling, Sebastian Vettel had managed to take control of the race. The abandonment of Lewis Hamilton is therefore more advantageous for Mark Webber, who can move back into second position, a handful of seconds behind his teammate.

Not all drivers return to their pit box during the first round of refueling. Several single-seaters were sufficiently loaded with gasoline to stop only once, notably those of Kobayashi, Alonso et Grosjean. If the pilots Renault are far away, the Japanese can aim for a place in the points. He proves it by overtaking Jenson Button, who has just come out of the pits.

Jaime Alguersuari, plagued by gearbox problems, had to pass through his stand. But, confusing the Red Bull outfits of his mechanics and those of Vettel, the Spaniard stops in front of the stand of his cousin team but has to drive away, the German arriving behind him. Having left for a spin, the Catalan must abandon his car at the edge of the circuit.

The first pit stop finally arrives for Kamui Kobayashi, who starts again in twelfth position and has to battle with the drivers in the middle of the pack. Fernando Alonso, who delays his stop, can in particular overtake him. The Spaniard is the last driver to stop, twenty laps from the finish.

At the head of the race, Sebastian Vettel escaped, with around ten seconds ahead of his teammate Mark Webber. The second salvo of refueling went without problems for the Red Bull drivers, who returned to the first two positions, with a comfortable lead. After the other drivers stopped, Kamui Kobayashi, who no longer had to pass through his pit, moved up to sixth position.

Behind the Japanese, the fight is tough between Robert Kubica and Sébastien Buemi, the Pole going across at the end of the battle. The future Renault driver can leave but he says goodbye to points.

At the front, the Red Bull double is taking shape but Mark Webber seems to be struggling with his tires. Jenson Button took back a second on the lap and returned to his wheels a few minutes from the finish. But the Australian does not give in and resists the Briton's attacks.

A few hectometers ahead, Sebastian Vettel lines up the fast laps and flies towards his fourth victory this season. The German driver therefore concludes his first season with Red Bull on a very positive note, with an honorary title of vice-champion. But, after such a race, "Baby Schumi" may also regret the slump at the end of the summer, without which he could have gone for the world champion title.

Second, Mark Webber concludes the year in fine style, after his victory in Brazil. The Australian, who had a remarkable start to the season, showing great consistency, may regret Red Bull?s lack of audacity after the European Grand Prix. The Renault engine, which had shown weaknesses in Valencia, ultimately held up very well, the two drivers being able to respect their quota of eight engines used during the season.

Jenson Button finished third, after a well-run race. The Briton wanted to show that he was not a world champion riding on the economy. Now Button sees a new challenge ahead of him. In 2010, and certainly at Brawn GP, ​​the world champion will have to show that he is capable of assuming his status.