PREVIEW: Vettel eyes pole record and victory hat-trick in Abu Dhabi

By Elmar Dreher Nov 10, 2011, 9:37 GMT

Abu Dhabi - World champion Sebastian Vettel returns to the track where he clinched his first Formula One crown 12 months ago and has more records in his sight at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he is unbeaten.

The Red Bull driver clinched the 2010 trophy by winning what was then the season-ender after Fernando Alonso became the victim of a poor pit stop strategy of his Ferrari team.

This time around, Sunday's day-to-night race is the penultimate event. Vettel has shown no signs of slowing down since clinching the title in Japan, winning the next two races in South Korea and India.

Vettel's first task at the Yas Marina Course will be equalling Nigel Mansell's 1992 record of 13 pole positions in a season on Saturday, a mark he could then better at the season-ender in Brazil.

In addition, victory in Abu Dhabi and Brazil will make him equal Michael Schumacher's record of 14 season wins from 2004.

Vettel says he is not looking at records, but his latest run at the inaugural Indian GP rather shows his hunger. Vettel defied team orders when he clocked a late fastest lap to complete a first career grand slam of pole position, victory, leading every lap of the race and fastest lap.

Having won the first two editions on in Abu Dhabi will add to his determination on the weekend.

'I think we can continue. The car is fantastic. The team is enjoying and we are on a run basically since the beginning of the season and it is great. We enjoy every race ... I love what I do ... in a way we don't want this to end,' he said after the Indian win.

Racing on the spectacular anti-clockwise 5.554km course is a thrill for Vettel.

'The race starts at twilight and finishes in the night. That means that we have to drive with special helmet visers because of the different light conditions,' Vettel said on his website.

'There are two special features here: one is the passage under the Yas Hotel. Where else can you actually drive under your room! Equally special is the pit lane exit. It's partly underground. It feels like coming out of an underground parking garage.'

Given Red Bull's superiority and Vettel's massive 134-point advantage over his nearest rival Jenson Button of McLaren, the rest of the pack may well have felt at times to be standing still compared to the Red Bull speed.

The 2009 champion Button has at least won three races and given Vettel a fight here and there.

His main objective will be holding on to second, 13 points clear of Alonso, 19 ahead of Red Bull's Mark Webber and 38 in front of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

'Our car should suit this circuit so I'm very optimistic. We saw at the last grand prix that even though we didn't have the ultimate speed to catch and pass Sebastian, we made him work hard for the win,' said Button.

'The championship may not be at stake any more but we're still aiming to win races and put on a tremendous show.'

Alonso obviously doesn't have the fondest memories of Abu Dhabi and said he doesn't care if he finishes second or third, while Hamilton will have something to prove.

The 2008 champion has had an indifferent season with two victories and several incidents, and is now in a fight to avoid finishing behind a team-mate for the first time in his F1 career.

'Red Bull and Sebastian may have clinched both championships, but I'm still determined to end the season on a winning high,' he said.

'I've won two grands prix this year, and I'd love to double that by the end of the year!'