2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Kimi Raikkonen returns to the winners' circle in Formula 1. We wondered if he would manage to deliver on the promise that Lotus showed through various stages of the season, but it all came right today and the Finn put in a superb drive to claim 25 points.

Alonso scores a vital second place and claws back some important ground on Vettel in the championship fight. The German had an entertaining day to say the least, but he will be delighted to get on the podium.

Pastor Maldonado deserves a note for a fighting drive to fifth, but the only man possibly unhappy to see the Venezuelan score good points will be the eliminated Mark Webber. Disaster for Hamilton after a great performance in the early stages of the race. Once again his Abu Dhabi curse struck when he was looking comfortable in front.

This was the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on AUTOSPORT Live. Thanks for joining us over the last three days of action. We will be back for the sport's long-awaited return to the United States at Austin's Circuit of the Americas in two weeks time.

Plenty of talking points in that one so stick with AUTOSPORT for all the reaction to an action-packed Abu Dhbai Grand Prix.

Red Bull is close to victory in the constructors' race, needing little from the final two races to take the title back to Milton Keynes.

Despite Raikkonen's win, it's a two-horse race in the drivers' championship now with Vettel's lead cut to 10 points over Alonso.

David Coulthard is on hand to interview the podium drivers.

The champagne sprays on the podium and Raikkonen takes a well-earned drink of the bubbly, before spraying team members below.

A fine third-place trophy for Vettel as he reflects on a great comeback drive through the field.

Fernando Alonso receives his award for second place. The Spaniard is delighted to claw back some ground on title rival Vettel.

Team boss Eric Boullier takes the constructors' prize for Lotus, with the Enstone-based team winning for the first time since Japan in 2008.

Raikkonen returns to the top step of the podium for the first time since Spa 2009 and picks up the winning trophy for his 19th victory.

That is followed by God Save the Queen for today's winning constructor - Lotus.

The top three drivers walk out onto the podium and the Finnish national anthem rings out for this evening's winner - Kimi Raikkonen.

Seven drivers retired from this evening's race:

Pic pulled into the pits with mechanical problems during the second safety car period. Grosjean and Webber were involved in that mighty four-car incident at two-thirds distance.

Hamilton was leading comfortably when he was forced to retire with a loss of power. Karthikeyan suffered a failure and slowed dramatically. Rosberg couldn't react in time and slammed into the HRT in a scary-looking crash.

Hulkenberg was the first casualty of the day. He tangled with team-mate di Resta, Kobayashi and Senna in the first corner.

Delight for the Enstone-based Lotus team as Raikkonen steps out of the car to celebrate a long-overdue triumph.

Petrov ends the day in 16th ahead of de la Rosa, who was the final finisher in 17th place.

So Schumacher ends up point-less in 11th with Vergne 12th, Kovalainen 13th in the Caterham, Glock 14th and Perez 15th.

Senna finished in eighth, on Massa's gearbox, with di Resta right there in ninth spot. Ricciardo held off Schumacher for the final point.

Fifth for Maldonado in the end, chased in by Kobayashi and Massa.

Button finishes fourth, one short of his customary place at this event.

Vettel grabs the final podium after a busy drive through the field and some good fortune with safety car strategy.

Alonso grabs a fine second place, pushing Raikkonen all the way to the flag to make progress in the title campaign.

A brilliant drive from the 2007 champion as Lotus finally clinch victory after early leader Hamilton was forced to retire.

Kimi Raikkonen wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

Lap 55: The top four drivers all in the same shot, with Maldonado 5.4s behind them in fifth, ahead of Kobayashi sixth and Massa seventh.

Lap 55: Alonso isn't close enough for DRS and it looks good for Raikkonen as he heads into the middle sector.

Lap 54: Raikkonen begins the final lap in the lead.

Lap 54: Vettel has pulled a gap on Button but is some 3.9 seconds behind title rival Alonso.

Lap 54: No DRS this time for Alonso but he's right with leader Raikkonen now.

Lap 54: Perez is now through and past the Caterham into 15th position.

Lap 53: Perez is 16th and has caught Petrov, but the main focus remains on this pulsating fight at the front of the field.

Lap 53: Meanwhile, Alonso is clocked 1.4 seconds behind leader Raikkonen.

Lap 53: Vettel got a good run on DRS into Turn 11, going for the outside sweep around Button to take over the final podium place.

Lap 52: Vettel vs Button finally kicks off and the Red Bull is through.

Lap 52: Ricciardo is holding onto the final point in 10th, but Schumacher is 2.5s back and closed in by 0.7s on the last lap.

Lap 52: Maldonado remains in fifth, now 3.8s behind Vettel, with Kobayashi sixth. Massa is seventh. He has Senna and di Resta right with him.

Lap 51: Just two seconds separate Raikkonen and Alonso with five laps remaining in a fascinating Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lap 50: Alonso is cutting the lead gap rapidly now, clocked at 2.2 seconds as they cross the line.

Lap 49: Schumacher makes an easy move and takes 11th place away from Jean-Eric Vergne.

Lap 49: Button now well behind Alonso and not getting DRS, allowing Vettel to come ever closer into Turn 11.

Lap 49: Webber has completed a long journey back to the paddock and will shortly be explaining how he had little chance of avoiding the carnage in front of him.