Abu Dhabi: In a historic battle for the Formula One Drivers' World Championship, Sebastian Vettel drove a strong, consistent race to snatch the title from three other contenders and become the youngest to record the remarkable achievement.
The Red Bull driver was third behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and his teammate Mark Webber with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton also in the title race.
In pictures: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2010
Starting from pole, the German dazzled, improving with each passing lap in the world's only day-night race for a second successive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win and emerge the 2010 champion.
Hamilton finished second and defending champion Jenson Button was third but Alonso, who would have clinched his third world championship had he finished fourth, could only manage a seventh place.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the race, accompanied by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The President welcomed the guests and wished them an enjoyable stay in the UAE and the enjoyment of the world's major sports event.
He referred to the Formula One event as a good occasion to enhance ties with various brotherly and friendly countries.
"According to the UAE's strategy, sports is one of the most important areas for tourism promotion and achieving highest growth rates through optimal investments in world-class development projects with the aim of placing the UAE as one of the most prominent destinations on the regional and international tourism map," Shaikh Khalifa said.
He said the Yas Marina Circuit has become one of the most prominent sports destinations on the global stage following the great success it achieved in hosting last year's F1 race.
After stunning the sporting world with its iconic structure and futuristic facilities, the circuit on Sunday staged the season-ending finale which for the first time in 60 years had four drivers contesting the Drivers' Championship.
In the end it was the young German who thrilled the 50,000 fans at the racetrack and millions worldwide watching the action live on TV to stamp his superiority on the 5.5-km track.
Support to vital and development projects
Shaikh Khalifa stressed the importance of providing support to vital and development projects which would contribute to strengthening the UAE's position in the regional and global stage, especially in the tourism, trade and sport sector.
The President welcomed the guests and wished them an enjoyable stay in the UAE, as well as enjoying the world's major sports event.
He referred to the Formula 1 event as a good occasion for enhancing good ties with various brotherly and friendly countries.
The President expressed his satisfaction with the development and the civilized image of the UAE whose capital is hosting the global premier event—an approach adopted by the country to utilise all its potential and capabilities in the service of the UAE people and moving the UAE ahead to be ranked among the advanced countries in various fields.
"According to the UAE's strategy, sports is one of the most important areas for tourism promotion and achieving highest growth rates through optimal investments in world-class development projects with the aim of placing the UAE as one of the most prominent destinations on the regional and international tourism map," Shaikh Khalifa said.
He said the Yas Marina Circuit has become one of the most prominent sports destination in the global stage following the great success it achieved in hosting last year's F1 race.
He pointed out that giant tourism and cultural projects being carried out in Al Saddiyat and Yas islands are among the most important investments undertaken by the UAE that reflects its approach towards diversification of economy. This approach is implemented through enhancing opportunities of partnership and joint investment cooperation with leading international companies.
Shaikh Khalifa praised the efforts by government bodies, especially those operating in the field of sports, tourism and hospitality and entertainment among others that devoted all their capacity to provide the elements of success for this global gathering.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, and other Shaikhs were also present.
The event was also attended by King Juan Carlos of Spain, President James Michel of the Seychelles, former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of Swaziland Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini, Prince Albert III of Monaco, Lebanese Prime Minister Sa'ad Hariri, Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, and other senior officials and dignitaries.
— With inputs from WAM
