Red Bull Racings Sebastian Vettel won the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Sunday by racing around McLaren’s stealing the lead from Lewis Hamilton who did not finish the race due to experiencing a frightening after suffering brake failure in his MP 4-24. 2008’s World Champion Hamilton ran in the lead from pole with Vettel following his every move. Vettel took the lead when Hamilton came in for his first pit stop on lap 18. Vettel followed shortly after and was able to come out ahead of Hamilton. Soon after though, Hamilton reported a vibration and limped to the paddock on lap 20 suffering the first mechanical failure during a race of his career.

At that point, Vettel simply disappeared and was able to lengthen his lead over his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber. Webber had to fend off the spirited advances of new World Champion Jenson Button in the closing laps but was able to hold off the Brawn GP driver.

Button was happy despite missing out on second.

“It was a bonus to finish on the podium after the year we've had,” said Button, who had not finished on the podium since Monza in September. “I need to thank everyone at Brawn and Mercedes for all their hard work. It would have been easy to switch off after Brazil, but we didn't. We've come away with a podium, which is a nice way to end the year."

The win was the fourth of the year for Vettel, who joined Michael Schumacher to become only the second German to win four races in a single season. The victory also secured second place in the world drivers’ championship for Vettel who took over the spot after Brazil from Rubens Barrichello who finished fourth Sunday.

"The car was fantastic, it worked brilliantly on both tires,” Vettel said. “It was a pleasure to sit in the car. To sum up the season: up and down. The car is getting quicker - it's a shame the season is ending."

Nick Heidfeld finished up the 2009 Formula 1 season in fifth, sixth went to Kamui Kobayashi, the Toyota filling in for the injured Timo Glock. Jarno Trulli, in the second Toyota, was seventh, while Sebastian Buemi in the second Toro Rosso was eighth. Nico Rosberg placed ninth and Robert Kubica in would could be the last appearance for the BMW-Sauber team rounded out the top-10.