Webber: I tried my absolute hardest

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber was left bitterly disappointed after missing out on the F1 2010 drivers' title today in Abu Dhabi.

The Aussie was in a good position at the start of the weekend, just eight points behind Fernando Alonso. However after only qualifying fifth, things went from bad to worse in the race and he eventually finished in eighth - a decision to stop for tyres on lap 11 just adding to his woe and dropping him further out of contention.

Indeed overall it was a race to forget for the popular 34-year-old and he was understandably pretty downbeat at the chequered flag.

"It was a big day and we had the chance to do something incredibly unique, but in the end it didn't turn out for us," Webber lamented.

"Earlier in the race we knew we had to roll the dice and go for it with the strategy, but it left us exposed and Fernando covered us. I tried my absolute hardest and we did everything we could, but in the end it wasn't enough.

"You've got to take your hat off to Sebastian [Vettel - my team-mate though], he's done a great job all year and to lead the Championship at the last race, he's got the timing right and I fully congratulate him on the World Championship.

"I was in with a chance of winning the Championship until the last race, so I must have been doing something right and in the end there are a lot of positives.

"I feel I have driven very well for most of the season and that's the most important thing to me. This weekend didn't turn out and it's a shame, but it's a good time to reflect in the next few weeks and look back at the highs and the lows but that's the way the sport is sometimes.

"There have been quite a few emotions over the last couple of weeks; when you come so close to the top and just miss out, it's a shame, but I tried my absolute hardest and I have great guys around me.

"I think two championships for the team is not bad and I'll be fighting again next season."