The 22-year-old Vettel finished in 1 hour, 34 minutes and 3.414 seconds, with Australian teammate Mark Webber coming in 14.443 seconds later in the runner-up position.

Vettel was able to leverage the withdrawal of Briton Lewis Hamilton, whose McLaren Mercedes suffered right rear brake problems that forced him at lap 20 to abandon an early lead.

"I was struggling to stop the car," Hamilton said.

Brawn team members Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brazilian Rubens Barrichello came in third and fourth, respectively.

The race at Yas Marina was the first Formula One race in history to start during daylight and end at night, under the glare of brilliant floodlights. It was also the track's Formula One maiden run.

German Nick Heidfeld of Sauber BMW took fifth place, followed by Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi of Toyota.

svs/AFP/AP/dpa
Editor: Rick Demarest