BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen was thrilled that his team could exit Formula 1 in style with Nick Heidfeld's fifth place at Yas Marina.
Although the squad has been bought by the Qadbak organisation following BMW's decision to withdraw from F1, it does not currently have a 2010 entry as it lost its place on the grid to Lotus before it found a buyer.
So unless another team drops out or the FIA successfully convinces the other teams to expand the field, Abu Dhabi is likely to have been BMW Sauber's F1 swansong.
"I'm happy for the team that we could finish the season on a high after a very difficult season," said Theissen.
"We were initially struggling with the car, then the decision to pull out didn't help.
"We said we wanted to finish on a high, and we brought all the modifications and developments.
"From Singapore onwards we could see that the car was competitive again."
Having scored a mere six points in the first 10 races of the season, BMW has been in the top eight every time out since Valencia, and took a breakthrough second place with Robert Kubica at Interlagos, ultimately taking it up to sixth in the constructors' championship.
"It was especially rewarding that two weeks ago Robert was able to go at the pace of the winner throughout the race distance," Theissen said.
"[Abu Dhabi] was a strong performance again and with Nick's fifth place we could gain one position in the championship.
"So I think it's a very good finale after an extremely difficult season."
He admitted that the team had its sights set on beating Rubens Barrichello's Brawn to fourth place.
"We were hoping Rubens would pit one lap before Nick, and in that case we would have had a chance, but it didn't happen, and overtaking on the track... no chance," he said.
Theissen insisted the BMW Sauber crew had not let the significance of the weekend get to them, but acknowledged that packing up after the race was a poignant time.
"It starts to become emotional now," he admitted.
"When the flag dropped everybody was still fully focused on the race.
"The tension drops, you stand in the middle of all the guys knowing that they have put in an enormous effort over four years.
"They have lived for Formula 1 and the team.
"That's a very special moment, to see that come to an end."
See also:
Heidfeld admits last laps were emotional