Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2011 Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton savoured a morale-boosting Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory on Sunday after Red Bull's double Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel suffered his first race retirement in more than a year.

The McLaren driver, celebrating the third win of a troubled season, took the chequered flag 8.4 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Jenson Button was a distant third for McLaren.

"Mega job, mega job guys -- as usual," whooped 2008 champion Hamilton over the team radio, dedicating the victory to his watching mother Carmen as a birthday present.

Vettel, who has already clinched this year's title, was pitched off by a sudden puncture only seconds after making a lightning start from his record-equalling 14th pole position of the season.

The 24-year-old German managed to nurse his Red Bull back to the garage on three tyres and a rim but he was forced to retire once mechanics had surveyed the damage.