Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2016 - The Finale

Nico Rosberg was crowned the 2016 World champion on Sunday at Abu Dhabi!

The action of the race was concentrated over the first few laps and last few laps. The last 20 laps were simply stressful for any Mercedes fan.

First of all Max Verstappen’s stint on the super softs was incredible. Despite having an early spin and falling back to the end of the pack, he suddenly found himself in the middle of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg courtesy of pit stops.

Both the Mercedes were on newer tyres and Rosberg was told it was critical to pass Verstappen. I mean all of the drivers on track he had to pass Max, one of the toughest drivers to overtake and on top of that he had to do it for the championship! Nico eventually did pass him and Max soon had to pit for new tyres.

“I thought I wouldn’t see Max today, not today BUT there he was again!” – Nico Rosberg

 Now to the last 20 laps, Sebastian Vettel had just pitted after doing a 28 lap stint on the softs. Vettel was now out on the Super softs in P6 behind his teammate Kimi Raikkonen and he was fast, so fast that he was catching the drivers in front at almost a second per lap. With Fresher tyres and some good overtakes Vettel was right on the tail of Rosberg.

At this point Lewis Hamilton who was leading the race began using a “slow-down” tactic meaning he was going much slower than the actual pace of the car ( he was lapping the circuit at 1:47s while he could very easily do 1:45) He did this in order to back Rosberg up into the rest of the pack thereby making him vulnerable to attack from Vettel and Verstappen (it almost worked).

Remember if both Vettel and Verstappen were to pass Rosberg, Hamilton would have been crowned champion. Rosberg was under immense pressure, after the race he admitted that "the race was not enjoyable at all."

 

Hamilton’s tactics failed as Vettel kept Verstappen well over a second behind him and Rosberg defended well against Vettel’s attacks. Were Hamilton’s tactics right? Maybe or maybe not. It is a competition after all and Lewis had all the right to fight for his chance. At the end, the best man won.

“I couldn’t let Seb pass me because there was crazy max behind him!” – Nico Rosberg

Now could Vettel have passed Rosberg for second leaving Rosberg to defend himself from Verstappen? Maybe or maybe not. Vettel knew what Hamilton was doing and he might have taken a conscious decision to not involve himself in the championship fight or as Vettel said his tyres were going away.

One thing Lewis could have done was to admit defeat. When asked whether he thought the best man won Lewis replied with "that’s questionable". Regardless, It was a great effort by Lewis and he did his best.

“I did everything I could” – Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari finished the season on a high note with a well-deserved podium. Sebastian Vettel drove a clean race, kept it simple and got the job done. Ferrari is hoping to carry this momentum into the 2017 season which sees some major aerodynamic changes.

“The spirit is unbroken” – Sebastian Vettel

Force India did a splendid job this season and finished an all-time best of 4th in the constructors! Nico Hulkenberg who’s been a part of the team for a long time now is leaving to join Renault. 

“I leave the team with lot of happy memories” – Nico Hulkenberg

Jenson button unfortunately retired from his last race due to an odd mechanical failure. But the failure didn’t pull jenson’s spirit down. As he returned to the pitlane he was given a huge round of applause by the crowd. He seemed satisfied after the race. Everyone is surely going to miss Jenson’s colourful personality on and off track. Hope to see him with the presenters now! #JensonsNotebook

“We come to F1 with dreams and we leave it with memories” – Jenson Button

One of F1’s most loved drivers Felipe Massa completed his final race in Abu Dhabi. Felipe finished his final race in P9.

Felipe has had some incredible races. One the best one being 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite losing the championship by a few points, Felipe put up an exceptional display of sportsman like conduct.

Obrigado Felipe.

“What a thrill !! Thank you and love you all!” – Felipe Massa

The 2016 Formula One World Championship Driver's Standings

1) Nico Rosberg (GER)- Mercedes AMG Petronas (385 points)

2) Lewis Hamilton (GBR)- Mercedes AMG Petronas (380 points)

3) Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)- Red Bull Racing (256 points)

4) Sebastian Vettel (GER)- Scuderia Ferrari (212 points)

5) Max Verstappen (NED)- Red Bull Racing (204 points)

6) Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)- Scuderia Ferrari (186 points)

7) Sergio Perez (MEX)- Sahara Force India (101 points)

8) Valtteri Bottas (FIN)- Williams Martini Racing (85 points)

9) Nico Hulkenberg (GER)- Sahara Force India (72 points)

10) Fernando Alonso (SPA) McLaren-Honda (54 points)

Until the next race,

Goodbye

(Picture credits: XPB, Associated press, Autosport, AMUS)