( CNN ) -- Red Bull 's Sebastian Vettel is the new Formula One world champion after winning the title-deciding race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday . The German produced a peerless drive from pole position to take the checkered flag ahead of the McLaren pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button . Ferrari 's Fernando Alonso , who led the championship standings going into the final race of the season , could only manage seventh place to see his title hopes ruined . The 23-year-old Vettel is the youngest-ever world champion in motorsport 's premier class , claiming his fifth victory of the year to take the lead in the standings for the first time in a topsy-turvy season . `` I 'm a bit speechless . I do n't know what you are supposed to say in this moment , '' Vettel told the official post-race press conference . Blog : Vettel ushers in new F1 era . `` It has been an incredibly tough season , physically and mentally especially . But we have always believed in myself , my car , the team `` Spain 's Alonso , who only needed to finish fourth to deny Vettel the title , looked to be the victim of a tactical error by his Ferrari team after being pulled in for an early pitstop . It left the two-time world champion behind slower cars and he could not overtake and make up lost ground on the tight Yas Marina circuit . Alonso defended his team after his shattering disappointment , having qualified third fastest behind Vettel and Hamilton . `` After the race , it is always very easy to see the best strategy , '' he told gathered reporters . `` But this is a sport . This is motor racing . Sometimes you win . Sometimes you lose . Congratulations to Red Bull and Sebastian , but next year we will try again . '' Vettel 's teammate Mark Webber , who trailed Alonso by eight points going into the final round , saw his chances disappear in similar fashion after a premature stop for new tires and finished eighth . He too defended his team 's decision to bring him in early . `` Early in the race , obviously , we had to make a few calls to get out of that position we were in . It was n't too bad till then . `` And going for the harder tire pretty early on obviously hurt Fernando ( Alonso ) too because he had to cover me off -- so in a way it was a bit of a team effort I suppose that helped Seb take the title -- but obviously I did n't get the result I wanted . '' The victory left Vettel on top of the standings with 256 points , just four clear of Alonso . Webber finished the season on 242 points with 2008 champion Hamilton on 240 . Red Bull had already clinched the constructors ' title after the penultimate race in Brazil , but a solid display from McLaren left them in second place ahead of Ferrari .
Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest - ever F1 world champion . Red Bull ace takes title after winning title final race in Abu Dhabi . Fernando Alonso sees his form disappear after finishing seventh . McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button finish second and third .