Rosberg beats Hamilton to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to end season on high
Nico Rosberg produced a dominant performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to finish the Formula One season with a third successive race victory.
Since Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton secured the drivers’ championship title in the United States with three rounds to spare, Rosberg has proven the man to beat.
And the German never looked likely to be caught at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday after making a superb start from pole position.
Hamilton did his best to put pressure on Rosberg in the closing stages, but had to settle for a somewhat distant runner-up finish – 8.2 seconds back – as Mercedes completed a record 12th 1-2 of the season.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium to secure fourth position in the drivers’ standings ahead of fellow Finn Valtteri Bottas, who finished well down the field following a pit-lane collision with Jenson Button early in the race.
Raikkonen’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel took fourth, recoverng from 15th on the grid, with Sergio Perez (Force India) and Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) rounding out the top six.
WHERE THE RACE WAS WON
Rosberg simply dominated the race from start to finish, his grip on the lead only temporarily released when he came into the pits.
OFF TO A FLYER
Rosberg made a sensational start as Hamilton fought to hold on to second place. From that point on, the Briton was unable to apply any real pressure to his rival.
RACE TO FORGET
Pastor Maldonado was forced to retire after being taken out at the first corner by Fernando Alonso, whose finish outside the points made sure he finished below a team-mate in the individual standings for the first time in F1.
RACE STAT TO REMEMBER
Rosberg had never previously won three races in succession and ends the season with six victories to his name.
IN THE POINTS
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +8.2secs
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +19.4s
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +43.7s
Sergio Perez (Force India) +63.9s
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +65.0s
Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) +93.6s
Felipe Massa (Williams) +97.7s
Romain Grosjean (Lotus) +98.2s
Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) +102.s
TITLE STANDINGS
Lewis Hamilton 381
Nico Rosberg 322 (+59)
Sebastian Vettel 278 (+103)
Kimi Raikkonen 150 (+231)
Valtteri Bottas 136 (+245)
Mercedes 703
Ferrari 428 (+275)
Williams 257 (+446)
Red Bull 187 (+516)
Force India 136 (+567)
NEXT UP
After winter testing helps teams gear up for 2016, the action will kick off again in March, when Melbourne’s Albert Park hosts the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
