Sebastian Vettel became Formula One's youngest ever champion yesterday, taking advantage of Fernando Alonso's disappointing performance to clinch the title with a win at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany kisses the trophy after winning the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi November 14, 2010. Vettel became Formula One's youngest world champion on Sunday by winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. [Xinhua/Reuters]

The German Red Bull driver started the race from pole position but needed to make up 15 points on Alonso, who led the championship but failed to seal the title for a second straight race.

While Vettel had a fairly trouble-free race, Alonso finished seventh after Ferrari made an ill-advised decision to pit early and the Spaniard got stuck behind Nico Rosberg and Vitaly Petrov for nearly 40 laps.

Vettel's title comes after Red Bull dominated the field in qualifying sessions all season, but often failed to convert its unrivaled speed into race victories because of reliability problems and driver errors.

"It has been an incredible journey, to lead the championship after the last race is unbelievable," Vettel said. "It's been extremely intense and a tough season mentally."

Alonso, who started third from the grid, ended up four points behind Vettel in the final standings.

Vettel said he had a few nervous moments after crossing the finish line, while he waited to see whether Alonso could climb up to fourth place on the last lap - which would have given the Spaniard the title.

But the celebrations could finally start when he received the message he was hoping for. "Weltmeister!" Vettel's team screamed over the car radio after Rosberg crossed the line in fourth place, using the German word for world champion.

"Unbelievable! Thank you," Vettel replied in a strained voice, barely able to speak because of the emotion, as Red Bull engineers and crew threw themselves into each other's arms.

Alonso couldn't hide his disappointment, shaking his fist angrily as he pulled up alongside Petrov when they glided over the line. "Next year, we'll try again," he said.

Red Bull's Mark Webber of Australia came in behind Alonso and finished third overall, 14 points back from his teammate Vettel.

The 23-year-old Vettel is six months younger than Lewis Hamilton was when he won the title in 2008.

Hamilton beat defending champion Jenson Button as McLaren took second and third place in the race.

While Vettel celebrated, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher's comeback season ended with a smash on the opening lap when his Mercedes spun and was speared by Force India's Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi. The great, who last stood on the podium as a Ferrari driver in 2006, is the only other driver to win the title for Germany.