Few people, his faithful fans or not, would begrudge Sebastian Vettel his farewell desire to exit the Red Bull team on a high note.

The top step of the podium at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may be out of his reach in the light of the monopolistic tussle for the title between the Mercedes awesome-twosome Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, but third place he feels would be a fitting tribute for the support he has been so selflessly accorded by the team.

And that he has made clear will be his 100-per-cent intent around the Yas Marina circuit on Sunday. I for one believe him and look forward to an an all-action replay of his undoubted skill and determination if only, hopefully, the car will match his ambition.

That would mean a monumental reversal of fortune for the four-time champion who has slumped disastrously in the shadow of his Australian Red Bull partner Daniel Ricciardo in a campaign he will want to forget.

Vettel, well adrift of the gifted 3rd-placed Ricciardo in the championship, has secretly nursed his disappointment and his fall from the top spot with a demeanour befitting his gentlemanly attitude and his readiness to accept that his teammate has been the better performer all season.

The 27-year-old German bids goodbye to Red Bull, almost certainly on his way to Ferrari as the replacement for McLaren-bound Fernando Alonso, with his eyes set firmly on the flourish of a finish to leave only fond memories in the fizzy-drinks team’s ranks.

Contesting the season’s finale in Abu Dhabi is a fitting venue as it was in the UAE that one of the most successful ever partnerships of driver and team got off to a start that was to stun the Formula One scene.

“I personally have extra special memories of the Abu Dhabi circuit and the Grand Prix,” he says. “It was here in 2010 that I became the world champion for the first time in my very favourite F1 car, the memorable and brilliant RB6.

“That was a weekend, a race day, I shall never forget. And this year the event will mark another big moment in my career... my last race with Red Bull, the team that has been like my family, close and supportive. But the time is ripe for me to move on.

“It will be an emotional situation for all of us as we have great memories together, but I will enjoy the experience, the whole weekend, with the team who have shared my ups and downs with equal interest and concern.

“As a thank you, I shall be giving it my all to sign off in great style and with a bit of luck maybe I will get on the podium. That is my dream.”

In five visits, Vettel has scored three victories, the last one last year, a third place and two pole placings.

The only time he failed to finish on the podium was in 2011 when a puncture put him out of the race.

“The circuit is really impressive and it suits my style,” he adds. “I may not have had the best season of my career, but that won’t put me off trying all I can to make my farewell a memorable occasion.”

His boss Christian Horner said: ”It has been a tremendous experience working with Seb and I know he will want to sign off giving all the team the sort of reward they work so hard to achieve.”

— The author is a London-based motorsport expert