Sun Sets on 2009 Formula One Drivers Championship

The 2009 Formula One Drivers Championship concluded in style at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The track was making its debut in Formula One. The race was the first dusk-night race in F1.

The setting was spectacular and the final duel between Mark Webber and the 2009 Formula One Drivers Champion, Jenson Button was the highlight of the race.

Early in the race it was Lewis Hamilton who got away from pole position and established a handy lead. Based on his late season form you would have tipped him for the win. Luck was not on his side and the 2008 champion was forced to retire when excessive right rear brake wear made it too unsafe to safely continue. His team pulled him from the race on lap 20.

With Hamilton out of the way Sebastian Vettel was unchallenged. His teammate Mark Webber could not match the speed of the German and it was Vettel who crossed the line in first.

After Webber went to the soft tyre for the final stint his car was more of a challenge to get around the Abu Dhabi track. Button closed in to attempt to take second place from the Australia however Webber did just enough to keep him at bay.

The win for Vettel saw him take second in the drivers championship while Barrichello was third and Webber fourth.

The top eight in the final points table was as follows

Jenson Button 95
Sebastian Vettel 84
Rubens Barrichello 77
Mark Webber 69.5
Lewis Hamilton 49
Kimi Räikkönen 48
Niko Rosberg 34.5
Jarno Trulli 32.5

In the constructors championship it was Brawn Mercedes on 172 who took the prize. Red Bull Racing were second on 153.5 and McLaren Mercedes were a distant third with 71, just ahead of Ferrari on 70.

Formula One racing fans now have to look ahead to March 2010 when the new season will blast off in Bahrain. There are 19 races on the 2010 F1 calendar.

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