Petrov returns to scene of controversial race

Abu Dhabi: During last year's Formula One finale at the Yas Marina Circuit there were four drivers chasing the world championship — but it was a fifth man who had an influential hand in the triumph of Sebastian Vettel.

Spanish star Fernando Alonso, with 246 points, led Red Bull pair Mark Webber and Vettel going into the final race — with Lewis Hamilton further back in the table.

Alonso only had to finish fourth to guarantee the title ahead of Vettel, but the Ferrari driver found himself behind Russian Vitaly Petrov after an early pit stop.

Angry and frustrated

For the remaining 40 laps of the race, Alonso could not get past Petrov, meaning he finished seventh and lost the title.

An angry and frustrated Alonso gesticulated at the Renault driver Petrov on the slow-down lap as Vettel celebrated his first world championship.

Meanwhile, Petrov's superb drive in that race helped him retain his place with Renault for this season.

Petrov is back for Sunday's race and he is looking forward to performing in front of an abundance of Russian fans. "Abu Dhabi has a good atmosphere. It is a good track with a lot of spectators — even Russians — who come to watch the race," said Petrov. currently ninth in the drivers' standings.

"I do in fact quite like the track. It has smooth tarmac which might mean we start the weekend in slightly dirty conditions; we shall see how prevalent this is when we get to the track."

Renault team principal Eric Boullier feels the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has quickly become one of the most popular events on the Formula circuit.

"Abu Dhabi is a very, very popular event and racing spectacle," he said.

"To give you an example: we are absolutely jammed to the rafters in terms of the number of guests we have, and the interest we have received.

"It arrived on the calendar back in 2009 and since then it has acted as an extremely important race for the annual F1 circus."