Abu Dhabi: Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel has clinched the Formula One title after winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the youngest ever champion.
Vettel started the race from pole position but 15 points behind two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari. However, the Spaniard lost the title by finishing a disappointing seventh and trailed Vettel by four points in the final standings.
Alonso started third but paid the price for pitting his Ferrari too early and getting stuck behind Nico Rosberg and Vitaly Petrov for nearly 40 laps.
Red Bull's Mark Webber of Australia came in behind Alonso in seventh spot and finished third overall.
The 23-year-old Vettel is six months younger than Lewis Hamilton was in 2008.
Schumacher escapes unhurt
Michael Schumacher has escaped without injuries from a scary crash at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, after the Force India car of Vitantonio Liuzzi went over the top of the German's Mercedes.
Liuzzi's car landed inches away from Schumacher's head, but the seven-time Formula One champion was able to walk away unscathed and waved to fans as he exited the track at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Liuzzi also appeared unhurt in the collision, which occurred after Schumacher was spun around by his teammate Nico Rosberg. As Schumacher was trying to maneouvre his car back around, Liuzzi crashed over the top of him, spreading debris across the track.
The crash ends a disappointing comeback season without a podium finish for the 41-year-old German.
