Overview
- Vettel arrived at the finale behind Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber yet secured pole, with Alonso third and Webber fifth on the grid.
- An early safety car split strategies; Webber’s mistake triggered an early stop and Ferrari reacted by pitting Alonso, placing him in heavier traffic.
- Renault’s Vitaly Petrov, having stopped under caution for fresh tyres, defended robustly and kept Alonso stuck behind, limiting the Ferrari to seventh.
- Controlling the race from the front, Vettel won and, at 23, became the youngest Formula 1 world champion and Red Bull’s first title winner.
- After the finish, Alonso vented over Petrov’s defense, while Petrov said he merely held his position as Red Bull mechanics applauded his drive.