Jenson Button can finally relax after watching the sun set on Formula One's first day-night race - and a season to remember for him.

The new world champion finished the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on a relative high, not with the win he wanted but at least on the podium behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

After Button and Brawn GP wrapped up the drivers' and constructors' titles in Brazil a fortnight ago, the pressure was off on Sunday.

The 29-year-old had the fun he craved, notably a last-lap duel with Webber - the Australia winning by just 0.6seconds.

For Button, though, the real enjoyment of being world champion can begin before a winter that will be in stark contrast to the previous one - which was spent wondering whether he had a future.

"It was a fun race," said Button, on the podium for only the second time in the last 10 races - after starting the season with six wins from seven grands prix.

"I'm disappointed not to get second. But I enjoyed the fight, and the race was a bonus - after winning the championship in Brazil.

"I have really enjoyed driving this weekend a car that has been very competitive, so I need to thank everyone at Brawn and Mercedes Benz for all their hard work.

"After Brazil, it would have been easy to say 'right, let's just enjoy ourselves and not concentrate on Abu Dhabi'.

"But we did and we have come away with a podium at the last race of the year, a year that's been exceptional.

"I'm very happy with what's happened this season and the way the team has performed.

"Probably when it's been toughest, I respect the team for the effort they've put in then - so they should all be very proud of themselves.

"At the moment I'm just going to enjoy this. This is big, so I'm not going to concentrate on next year.

"I'm going to relax and enjoy this moment."

There was certainly a knockabout, end-of-term feel to the post-race press conference as Vettel and Webber made fun of Button regarding potential winter wedding plans with his girlfriend, lingerie model Jessica Michibata.

Button still has to decide where his future lies, although that is almost certain to be with Brawn - because it is widely expected Mercedes-Benz will soon confirm they are taking a 75 percent stake in the team.

No-one can take away Button's title, yet Red Bull finished it as the dominant force by winning the final three races - Vettel twice to take his tally to four for the year and five for his career.

"The season has been up and down, but a very special one," assessed Vettel, who guaranteed himself second place in the drivers' standings behind Button.

"We have been very strong with four one-two finishes for Red Bull Racing, so congratulations to the team.

"They have been pushing, working a lot back in the factory, and we can see the car has become quicker.

"It is a shame now the season ends, but it is a perfect way to finish the season on such a high."

Rubens Barrichello was fourth in the race and third overall, with Nick Heidfeld fifth in BMW Sauber's final race.

Heidfeld was followed by Kamui Kobayashi in only his second outing for Toyota, who are now almost certain to offer him a permanent deal for next season.

Kobayashi finished ahead of more experienced team-mate Jarno Trulli, who was seventh - with Sebastien Buemi claiming the final point for Toro Rosso.

AFP