By Jens Marx Oct 28, 2009, 13:10 GMT
Abu Dhabi - Sebastian Vettel will be going all out to clinch the runners-up spot in the Formula One drivers' championship when the season ends on Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull driver saw his title hopes slip away when Brawn GP's Jenson Button became world champion in Brazil, but says he still as another Brawn rival to beat in Rubens Barrichello.
Formula One's debut in Abu Dhabi will be anything but an exhibition race for the German, who unlike his compatriots on the F1 circuit so far has a contract for next season.
'As far as I am concerned, I want to try to get second place in the championship. So it's all-out attack until the end,' Vettel said.
Vettel is on 74 points, two ahead of Brazilian Barrichello going into the finale, with Button on an unassailable 89.
The race on the 5.554-kilometre Yas Marina circuit - which includes the longest straight (1,173 metres) on the F1 calendar - is a first for Formula One, but will be a farewell for BMW who have decided to end their F1 engagement after 70 races.
Motorsport chief Mario Theissen admitted the team would be leaving this weekend with sadness.
The team's German driver Nick Heidfeld, who is still without a drive for next season, said the F1 farewell had still not really hit home 'but that's bound to change in Abu Dhabi and probably strongly.'
It will also be a time to say goodbye for Fernando Alonso, who is leaving Renault for Ferrari, and Kimi Raikkonen in his last race for the Italian team.
Alonso said he was expecting an 'emotional' weekend with the Renault team with which he won both of his world titles and 17 of his 21 Grand Prix victories.
'I would love to finish the season and my Renault career with a great result,' he said this week.
'It will be an emotional race, because I have enjoyed so many special memories with this team and I am leaving behind a lot of friends. Renault is one of the great teams in F1, and I look forward to fighting with them on the track in the years ahead.'
Raikkonen, who has been linked with a move to Toyota or McLaren, said he would 'give it everything to gain the best possible result' in his swansong for the Italian team.
'It's time for me to say goodbye to the guys at Ferrari after three years together,' he said.
'I'm proud of the things we have achieved, especially the drivers' title in 2007 and the constructors' title in the same year and in 2008.'
Heidfeld and Germany's Nico Rosberg (Williams) and Adrian Sutil (Force India) will meanwhile be using the race to recommend themselves to other teams, but compatriot Timo Glock, who will be leaving Toyota, will have to sit out the race injured.
Meanwhile a relaxed Button will relish his first race as world champion, with the Briton contemplating his options for next year.
There has been speculation this week that McLaren would like to line him up with fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion, but Brawn chief Ross Brawn says is confident of a new team contract for Button on improved terms.
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