Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2012 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Kimi Raikkonen claimed a brilliant victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ending Sebastian Vettel's four-race winning streak and briefly delaying the German's championship coronation. The Finnish driver controlled the race from the front with characteristic composure, holding off Fernando Alonso's Ferrari and Vettel's Red Bull under the Yas Marina floodlights to secure his first victory since returning to Formula 1 and keeping the title battle mathematically alive for one more race.

Raikkonen's pole position had been his first since returning to F1 with Lotus, and he converted it into a masterful victory performance. The Finn's smooth driving style was perfectly suited to preserving the fragile Pirelli tires, and he managed his pace expertly throughout the race. Lotus's strategy was flawless, timing Raikkonen's pit stops to perfection and giving him the track position to control proceedings. His victory was a testament to his enduring class and Lotus's consistent competitiveness throughout the 2012 season - Raikkonen would finish third in the championship despite not winning until the penultimate round.

Alonso drove another heroic race to finish second, keeping his faint championship hopes alive by outscoring Vettel. The Spaniard extracted every ounce of performance from his Ferrari, but he needed Vettel to finish outside the top four to keep the title battle alive to Brazil. Vettel's third place was enough to extend his championship lead to 10 points heading to Austin and then Brazil, putting him firmly in control. Lewis Hamilton won from pole position on the road but was later relegated due to a penalty, promoting the top three. The Abu Dhabi result meant the championship would go to at least the penultimate round in the United States, though Vettel's advantage appeared insurmountable barring disaster.