Prior to the start of the race everyone bar some extremely optimistic Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton fans was certain that Fernando Alonso or Mark Webber would win the world championship. Because of this, it is all the more strange how both drivers got things so badly wrong today.
The first decisive factor was the safety car, where a number of cars including Vitaly Petrov and Nico Rosberg came into the pits, something which in retrospect was undoubtedly the best strategy, and something which Red Bull should have done with Mark Webber, considering he was struggling so badly on the softer compound tyres.
Red Bull brought Webber in on lap 12 for the harder tyres, and he began to set very quick laps. On seeing this, Ferrari brought Fernando Alonso in to cover this move, and he came out just in front of the Australian. However, something they weren’t considering when bringing the Spaniard in were the drivers who pitted during the safety car, such as Petrov, who did a sterling job around the narrow Abu Dhabi track of stubbornly holding the pair at bay for 40 laps.
“It was a tough race, really difficult. I lost one position at the start and then we saw problems with the soft tyres and we tried to cover for [Mark] Webber.
“It was a choice between [covering for] Webber and Rosberg and we covered for Webber. This is a sport, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
“[I have] no complaints about strategy. After the race it’s always easy to see the best strategy. It was a very difficult call I think.
“I tried to pass [Petrov] once and he tried to protect [himself] and was very aggressive and he drove well without mistakes. We will try again next year.”
Fernando Alonso
Another Renault in Robert Kubica was simultaneously ending Lewis Hamilton’s chances of the title too. Once the Brit came in for his pit stop on lap 26, right up until lap 47 when Robert Kubica came in for his one and only stop, the Pole was doing well to defend his position ahead of Hamilton. By the time Hamilton had the clear air, his tyres were shredded along with his championship hopes.
“I’m sure the team did everything for the right reasons and at the time we needed to jump Sebastian.
“I guess it was just unfortunate we came out behind a Renault – it worked out quite well in their [Red Bull’s] favour I would say.”
Lewis Hamilton
Photo (C) Renault/LAT
- Enigma becomes the predictions champion by just 10 points!
- Stubborn Renaults decide the championship: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix analysis
- Sebastian Vettel seals the championship (Pictures)
- Red Bull do the double! (driver and constructor standings)
- Vettel wins to become Formula 1's youngest champion!
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Live blog
- Grand Prixdiction – What will happen off the start line at Yas Marina?
- 'Crazy' Hamilton's slim hopes still alive after escaping Massa penalty
- Mixed emotions for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi with Vettel pole
- Vettel and Hamilton fastest in Friday Practice (Timesheet)
- Predictions league: Current standings and Abu Dhabi entry form
