• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Renault rounds off season in style

Vitaly Petrov held off Fernando Alonso for sixth © Getty Images

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• News:
• Petrov says he was right to defend his position
  

• Race:
• Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Robert Kubica
• |
• Vitaly Petrov

• Teams:
• Renault

Robert Kubica said that finishing fifth in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a good way to finish the season after fighting his way through the field from 11th on the grid.

"It was a very good race to round off the season. I had a problem with a clutch at the start and I was running in 14th position after Turn 2," said Kubica When the safety car went in, I managed to overtake Sutil, which was important. I then found myself stuck behind Kamui [Kobayashi], who was braking very late, which made it difficult to attack him. Eventually, I got a run on him out of Turn 9 and he covered the inside for Turn 11 so I was able to pass round the outside.

"That was a key moment, and afterwards I just concentrated on getting the maximum from the car and setting quick laps. The car was still difficult to drive this afternoon, but I pushed really hard because I had nothing to lose - and I'm very pleased to finish fifth after starting 11th."

Team-mate Vitaly Petrov rounded off an excellent race for the team by finishing a place behind his team-mate in sixth but only time will tell if he has done enough to keep his race seat for 2011.

"This was a tough race, on a circuit where we know it is very difficult overtake," said Petrov. "We have been quite fast all weekend, and I am proud of my team and the good job we did. I made a good start and could have gained some positions at the first corner, but I wanted to avoid having any problems like last weekend in Brazil.

"I had a long battle with Fernando, but the car had good top speed today so I was able to control the situation: I just did my job. If he had tried a move, then I didn't want to crash with him, but it didn't come to that. I came here to fight, and race every other driver, and I think I showed today that I can fight."

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