Champ Vettel has to retire for the first time in F1 season

Nov 13, 2011, 15:32 GMT

Abu Dhabi - World champions Sebastian Vettel suffered a puncture in the opening seconds of Sunday's Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix and was forced to retire for the first time in the season.

The pole-sitter Vettel won the start but lost control over his Red Bull going into turn two. The car spun off the track with a right rear puncture and Vettel was forced to retire because of damage to the whole wheel and the exhaust after limping home to the pits.

Television replays showed the German drove over a curb after the first turn of the race, but it was not clear immediately whether that contributed to the puncture.

'The start was perfect and the first turn as well. I then lost the car very quickly in the second. We don't know what happened,' Vettel said after the race won by Briton Lewis Hamilton.

'It was like a hit. I tried to rescue the car, but couldn't do anything. I thought I could bring back the car (to the pits) but the tyre tore apart and the suspension was also damaged.'

It was Vettel's first retirement of the season in the 18th race. His last retirement was at the Korean GP 2010 when the engine failed.

Vettel assured himself of back-to-back world titles three races ago in Japan. He won 11 season races and finished no worse than fourth in 2011 until Sunday's mishap.

'You are still angry. We had a good car. It would have been fast enough to race for victory but you will never know,' said Vettel, who went on to watch the race from within the paddock.

With only the Brazilian GP left in the season, Vettel can no longer match Michael Schumacher's record 13 wins in a season, achieved in 2004.

Read more about Vettel