2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton ends a turbulent period of his life and bounces back to form, with victory in the third twilight race around Yas Marina.

The race was shaped when Vettel streaked off into the lead at the first corner, but sensationally picked up an instant puncture, as he ran wide and touched the Turn 1 exit kerb. From then on Hamilton took the lead and was involved in a race-long chess game with Alonso, with the rest quickly trailing in their wake.

Red Bull's three-stop strategy with Mark Webber didn't find him any more ground and he had to come in for a final set of tyres at the end, handing the final podium spot to Button.

Further down the field, Sutil, di Resta and Kobayashi all put in solid drives and Barrichello wasn't far away from the points - amazing, given the weekend he has suffered. But problems in the race for his team-mate Maldonado, who was guilty of ignoring blue flags and incurring the wrath of several leading drivers while being lapped.

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Kobayashi's point is also critical, putting Sauber one ahead of Toro Rosso in the scrap over seventh place.

Force India score with both drivers again to move just 15 points behind Renault in a solid sixth for the vital constructors' order.

Hamilton's win puts him six points behind Webber, but still down in fifth after a troubled second half of the season.

Alonso's runner-up finish leaves him 10 points behind Button in the race for second place in the points, heading into the final round.

Hamilton and Button climb onto the top step and briefly chat, before being joined by Latham and Alonso for the traditional end-of-race photo.

Button completes the trophy ceremony as he gets the tall cup for his strong drive to third this evening.

Fernando Alonso takes his award for second place. He smiles and lifts the trophy above his head and looks pleased with his work.

Andy Latham, Hamilton's race engineer, collects the award for the winning constructor - McLaren.

Hamilton has a huge smile as he picks up the winning trophy. He is delighted with a 17th career win.

The top three drivers walk out onto the podium and God Save the Queen plays on remembrance Sunday for today's winners - Hamilton and McLaren.

Four drivers retired from the third Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

Ricciardo pulled off towards the end of the race after leading his team-mate quite comfortably. Sebastien Buemi retired in the pits with a suspension issue just after taking ninth place and looking set for a points finish.

Jerome D'Ambrosio retired in the pits, but the man who caused the most noise was Vettel, who led into Turn 1 comfortably, but suffered what Christian Horner has described as an instantaneous tyre failure.

Hamilton punches the air as he brings in his McLaren to celebrate a much-needed third win of the season.

Trulli was 18th with Glock 19th and Liuzzi was the last classified finisher in 20th position.

Senna was 16th in the Renault with Kovalainen eventually finishing 17th after such a strong first half of the race.

Perez held on to 11th at the end, finishing 0.7s ahead of Barrichello, with Petrov 13th, Maldonado 14th and Alguersuari 15th.

Hamilton wishes a happy birthday to his mum as he shares delight with the McLaren team over the radio.

Sutil brings the first of the Force India cars home in eighth, just 1.1s behind Schumacher, with di Resta ninth and Kobayashi in 10th.

Rosberg cements a solid sixth for Mercedes, with team-mate Schumacher coming home, well behind, in seventh.

Massa ends up fifth in his Ferrari, struggling to find anything like the pace of team-mate Alonso once again.

Webber makes his unusual strategy work to some extent, crossing the line fourth after a single lap on hard tyres.

Button completes the podium with a damage-limitation drive after struggles with the KERS on his McLaren early in the race.

Alonso typically gave it his all, but a fine second was the best he could manage this evening.

Hamilton has been on fine form all weekend and will be delighted with victory after a troubled second half of the season.

Lewis Hamilton wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

Lap 55: Hamilton heads under the Yas Hotel for the final time and is on course for a fine victory in the UAE.

Lap 55: Perez in 11th now has Barrichello on his tail.

Lap 55: Webber resumes for his single lap on the hard rubber but falls behind Button for the final tour.

Lap 55: The Red Bull crew spring into action to change Webber's tyres.

Lap 55: Barrichello is just 1.6s behind Perez and may just get an opportunity on the final lap. This is for 11th.

Lap 55: Hamilton leads by a comfortable 8.4 seconds as he begins the final lap.

Lap 54: Kobayashi pulls in another second and the gap between di Resta (ninth) and Kobayashi (10th) is down to 5.5 seconds.

Lap 54: Di Resta is trying his best to hold off Kobayashi. The gap between them is 6.6s, while further back, Barrichello is now just 2,2s behind Perez.

Lap 53: Webber is still to make his move to hard rubber, with Red Bull likely planning a stop heading into the final lap. He will end up fourth.

Lap 53: Meantime, Daniel Ricciardo's drive ahead of his team-mate has come to an end. He pulls off to the side of the track and is out.

Lap 53: Perez has smacked into one of the bollards and that will not help his cause. Barrichello continues to close him down.

Lap 52: Barrichello cuts a big chunk out of that gap and is now 2.8s behind Perez. This is a developing fight for 11th.

Lap 52: Perez could be where the on-track action is in the closing laps. He continues to lose pace in 11th and Barrichello is now just 5.4s back.

Lap 51: Button is clocked 9.7 seconds behind Webber, which is comfortably enough to stay ahead of the Red Bull when it makes a late stop.