Historic win for Vettel

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Around the magnificent £800million Yas Marina circuit, the 22-year-old German captured his fourth victory of the season, and fifth of his career to finish off 2009 in Abu Dhabi in style.

The win guaranteed Vettel second place in the drivers' standings behind new world champion Jenson Button.

The Brawn GP star was forced to settle for third behind Red Bull's fourth one-two of the year, despite a desperate duel with Mark Webber on the final lap.

It was expected to be a breeze for Lewis Hamilton following his domination of practice, and most notably qualifying when he was quickest at the end of all three sessions.

But far from sailing away into the distance from the 17th pole of his career, Hamilton found Vettel doggedly determined behind him in the early stages.

On lap 11, shortly before the span of the five-star Yas Hotel that bridges the circuit, Hamilton ran wide coming out of turn 17 which allowed Vettel to close the gap to 0.8secs. Vettel took full advantage in the first round of pit stops, with Hamilton one of the first in on lap 16, the young German following three hot laps later.

He emerged with a significant cushion, although any hopes of a duel between two of F1's brightest stars under the Middle Eastern night sky swiftly faded.

Moments earlier, Hamilton had been informed of an issue with his right-rear brake that ultimately forced him to retire at the end of lap 20.

As for Button, he at least finished on the podium for only the second time since the sixth of his wins in the seventh race of the year in Turkey.