Vettel crowned youngest F1 champion after stellar Abu Dhabi win

Germany's Sebastian Vettel has been crowned the youngest ever Formula One world champion after dominating the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this evening from pole position to capitalise on a poor race by title leader Fernando Alonso and take his maiden crown by four points. The 23-year-old drove faultlessly and crossed the line 10 seconds clear of closest rival Lewis Hamilton before being informed of his title success over the team radio.

He kept the lead under pressure from Hamilton at lights-out, before the safety car was deployed later on the first lap when Tonio Liuzzi ran into a spinning Michael Schumacher at turn 6. After bolting away in the first couple of laps after they began racing again, Vettel was reeled in again by Hamilton, and the pair remained in close contact until they pitted half-way through the race.