Abu Dhabi: After a puncture forced defending champion and hot favourite Sebastian Vettel out of the race, McLaren's Lewis Hamilton revelled both in daylight and under floodlights to score a convincing win in yesterday's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
In a near-flawless exhibition of top class racing, the 2008 world champion led almost from start to finish to win his third race of the year and enhance his chances of finishing overall third in the drivers' championship with only the Brazilian GP remaining.
It was a dramatic evening when Vettel, who looked untouchable at the Yas Marina Circuit after winning the last two races, was forced out at the second corner allowing Hamilton to race home and dedicate the win to his mother who was celebrating her birthday.
Great night for McLaren
Hamilton won by 8.4 seconds ahead of two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso in second place in the Ferrari while Jenson Button finished 25.8 seconds behind in third to complete a great night for the McLarens.
It was Hamilton's 17th career win and third this year in a season dominated by Vettel.
"Mega job, mega job guys — as usual. I want to dedicate this win to my mum. Happy birthday and thanks for coming out here," was the victory cry from Hamilton on the car radio as the Briton ended an eight-race wait for a win after triumphing in China and Germany.
"This is one of my best races. It is a very tough track, looking after the tyres, managing the gaps, I am ecstatic. I am on the flight tonight and I will never forget this race," Hamilton said.
With a large number of British flags in the crowd, Hamilton was a popular winner.
"My fans have been incredibly supportive," he said. "I was surprised to see so much support and I think hopefully it was a good race to watch."
It was the first time since the Korean GP in 2010 that a Red Bull driver failed to finish on the podium. Mark Webber, who finished fourth and has 233 points, stays in contention for second in the drivers' championship along with Button (255) and Alonso (245). Ferrari's Felipe Massa was fifth, followed by Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher of Mercedes while the Force India pair of Adrian Sutil and Paul di Resta were in eighth and ninth places.
Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 1hr 37min 11.886sec, 2. Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari at 8.457sec, 3. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 25.881, 4. Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull 35.784, 5. Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 50.578, 6. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes GP 52.317, 7. Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes GP 1min 15.964, 8. Adrian Sutil (GER) Force India 1:17.122, 9. Paul di Resta (GBR) Force India 1:41.087, 10. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Sauber at one lap 11. Sergio Perez (MEX) Sauber 1 lap, 12. Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Williams F1 1 lap, 13. Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Lotus-Renault 1 lap, 14. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Williams F1 1 lap, 15. Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) Toro Rosso 1 lap, 16. Bruno Senna (BRA) Lotus-Renault 1 lap, 17. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) Lotus 1 lap, 18. Jarno Trulli (ITA) Lotus 2 laps, 19. Timo Glock (GER) Virgin Racing 2 laps, 20. Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA) Hispania 2 laps.
Overall standings (drivers):
1. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 374pts, 2. Jenson Button (GBR) 255, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 245, 4. Mark Webber (AUS) 233, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 227, 6. Felipe Massa (BRA) 108, 7. Nico Rosberg (GER) 83, 8. Michael Schumacher (GER) 76, 9. Vitaly Petrov (RUS) 36, 10. Nick Heidfeld (GER) 34, 11. Adrian Sutil (GER) 34, 12. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) 28, 13. Jaime Alguersuari (ESP) 26, 14. Paul di Resta (GBR) 23, 15. Sebastien Buemi (SUI) 15, 16. Sergio Perez (MEX) 14, 17. Rubens Barrichello (BRA) 4, 18. Bruno Senna (BRA) 2, 19. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) 1.
