FORMER Southend schooboy Will Stevens completed his first Formula One grand prix in Abu Dhabi.

The 23-year-old ex-Thorpe Hall School pupil was handed a drive for the cash-strapped Caterham team in the final race of the season in the Middle East.

The rookie, who was able to drive after sponsors stumped up £500,000 to help ensure the Caterham team finished the F1 season, showed few nerves on his way to finishing in 17th place.

Stevens said: “We completed the objective of the day, and that was to finish the race, which is good not only for me but also for the team – we can be pleased. I struggled quite a bit during my first stint on the Option tyre, trying to keep it up to temperature at the start during the formation lap, so I had a lot of graining on the front.

“But the middle stint wasn’t too bad and I was able to get into more of a rhythm.

“Towards the end I was feeling good in the car and it feels really good to have completed my first Formula One race. I want to thank all the fans once again for giving this team another chance to race, this is where we belong.”

Stevens may have been unknown to many going into the race (including other drivers), but he soon made himself known.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was heard expressing his frustration on race radio that Stevens wasn’t letting him past as he came up to lap the Caterham.

He was head on TV saying: “Who is this Caterham?

“He is the new guy, he has a lot to learn,” the Ferrari team replied.

Alonso responded with: “A lot to learn!”

Stevens’ team were delighted with their man’s debut, however.

Cedrik Staudohar, Renault Sport F1 track support leader, said: “Will drove very well on his F1 debut and it was great to see him out-drag Alonso’s Ferrari in a straight line!”

At the head of the race, Lewis Hamilton claimed a second Formula One world championship in style by taking the chequered flag.

Hamilton, who won his first title in 2008, took control off the line, surging past title rival and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg who started on pole.

The 29-year-old becomes only the fourth Briton to win more than one world title, joining Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Sir Jackie Stewart.