Hamilton takes 3rd win of year in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates- R.I.S.- After seeing Sebastian Vettel spin out of the race on the first lap because of a rare puncture, Lewis Hamilton kept his cool and easily cruised to his third victory of the season, with an eight second victory over Fernando Alonso Sunday night at the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina International Circuit. Jenson Button was third.

“I feel fantastic”. Exclaimed Hamilton. “It is one of my best races, I thought of that as I slowed down .It is something that is very tough to do. Really, really very happy to be up here and I can get on my flight tonight.”

Hamilton knew he would have trouble with Vettel right from the start, and when the lights when out, the Red Bull World Champion shot straight out ahead, with Hamilton right behind him. But on the second turn on the opening lap, Vettel encountered a sudden flat rear right tire that spun the German off the track. And despite the difficulty of having to nurse the car back to the pits; the suspension was already broken, which forced him out of the race.

Hamilton took over the lead, and managed to hold Alonso off for most of the race, even when the Spaniard came into the pits for his final stop while leading. Hamilton continued on to beat Alonso by eight seconds by the end of the grand prix.

“ It was a fantastic race for me as well.” Said Alonso. “We fought throughout the race and we lost about three to five seconds, and then the last pit stop we had some traffic, and even if we had more pace, it would have been tough to overtake. I am pleased with second and enjoyed the race.”

Besides Vettel, Jerome D’Ambrosio, Sebastian Buemi and Daniel Riccardo were the only other drivers who retired from the competition all evening.

Mark Webber got very close to the podium, but had to settle for fourth when he had to pit one lap from the end for hard tires. Felipe Massa was fifth in his Ferrari, while Nico Rosberg was sixth. His Mercedes teammate Michael Schumacher was seventh, while Force India drivers Adrian Sutil and Paul Di Resta were eighth and ninth, respectively. Kamui Kobyaschi took the last point for Sauber.

With his third win since Germany last July, Hamilton wondered if his luck was finally back on his side. But Hamilton continued to be cautious.

“It is early days” he said, “But it is a good start, but we still have one race to go in Brazil, but anything can happen and I have to keep my mind on the game.”