Liverpool had seen their title hopes ended after Manchester United beat them to the Premier League crown after getting the point they needed with a draw against Arsenal on Saturday.
It was at that point that the powerful Henry Crown of Chicago became the biggest shareholder in General Dynamics, merging it with his sprawling construction supply business and beginning a six-decade relationship between GD and the wealthy Crown family that persists to this day.
The Red Bull driver, 23, did not lead the 2010 championship at any point in the season but won Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to secure his maiden crown.