Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull became the youngest Formula One champion in history Sunday with victory in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Vettel went into the F1 finale lying third overall but as one of four drivers capable of lifting the title and becomes the youngest champion in the history of the sport at age 23 years 134 days.
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso had led the standings by 15 points from Mark Webber going to the final race but blew his chances with a seventh-place finish while the Red Bull driver came home in eighth.
Lewis Hamilton of McLaren also had slim hopes of lifting a second drivers’ crown but even a second-place finish behind Vettel was not enough. Last year’s champion Jenson Button completed the podium places in the second McLaren.
