Hamilton breaks drought at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton broke a five-month drought by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix here yesterday, only his third victory in what has been a disappointing Formula One season.

The Brit, who last won at the German Grand Prix in Nurburgring back in July, capitalised on the first-lap retirement of newly crowned champion Sebastian Vettel to win the event at the Yas Marina Circuit.

He clocked one hour, 37:11 to take the chequered flag ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Hamilton's teammate Jenson Button was third.

"This result is just fantastic. I'm usually my own biggest critic - I'm always hard on myself when I make mistakes - but I really felt like I maximised everything today," said Hamilton, whose paternal grandparents hail from the Caribbean island of Grenada.

"To be able to sustain that kind of pace under constant pressure and not make mistakes is really satisfying."

Hamilton started from second on the grid, behind pole-sitter Vettel, but had a huge slice of luck when the Red Bull driver spun out after suffering a puncture.

Regaining control

The 26-year-old then dictated the race, giving up the lead only when he pitted with 16 laps to go, but regaining control when Alonso was forced to make a stop of his own.

"For most of the race I was concentrating on managing the gap to Fernando (Alonso). He's such a strong driver. He'll never give you an inch, in fact," said Hamilton.

The result, however, changed little in the drivers standings as Hamilton remained fifth with 227 points with one race left in Brazil in two weeks time.