F1

Rosberg v Hamilton: Everything you need to know ahead of the F1 title decider

The race for the Formula One drivers’ title is going down to the wire at the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Nico Rosberg leads Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by 12 points following a wet and wild Brazilian Grand Prix last time out.

But who will come out on top with the pressure on at Yas Marina Circuit? Here’s everything you need to know about this weekend’s desert decider.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?

For Rosberg, this would represent a maiden world title after 11 seasons in F1. It would also be only the second time a father-son duo have won the drivers’ championship, following in father Keke’s footsteps to join Graham and Damon Hill in achieving that feat.

Hamilton currently shares the record for most drivers’ titles won by a British driver with Jackie Stewart, but would move clear on four by taking the crown in 2016. He would also become only the fourth driver to win three or more championships in succession.
HOW IT STANDS

Nico Rosberg 367
Lewis Hamilton 355
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

A top-three finish for Rosberg will be enough to clinch the title, regardless of where Hamilton ends the race. Cross the line outside the top three and Rosberg needs to ensure Hamilton does not do enough to close the points gap between the pair.

If Hamilton finishes outside the top three, Rosberg is champion.
FORM GUIDE

This season has swayed one way and then the other so far – unfortunately for Rosberg, it is Hamilton who is on a hot streak, winning the last three races.

That said, Rosberg has finished second to the Briton in each of those and has not missed out on the podium since his home grand prix in Germany in July.

A continuation of that run for Rosberg in Abu Dhabi would see him crowned champion.
WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE

The Formula One season has boiled down to a decider between Hamilton and Rosberg once before, although the circumstances were slightly different in 2014.

Hamilton held a 17-point lead heading to the United Arab Emirates two years ago, when double points were on offer at the final race of the season.

The former McLaren man needed to finish in the top two to clinch a second title – sixth would have sufficed under normal rules – and Hamilton avoided the problems that plagued Rosberg to top the podium, ahead of the two Williams.

Rosberg crossed the line in 14th and will be keen to avoid similar engine trouble this weekend.
ABU DHABI TRACK RECORD

Hamilton’s victory at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2014 was his second in Abu Dhabi, having also triumphed in 2011.

But it was Rosberg who won here last season – a victory that formed part of a seven-race winning sequence that ran into 2016 and laid the foundation for his title push.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Rosberg : “I have to treat this like any other race. Doing a good job on a grand prix weekend is always a challenge. Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won’t be any different and I still have to go all out for a good result. The closer it gets, the more I’m feeling excited. It will be a big battle and hopefully the fans will get a great show to end the year.”

Hamilton : “It’s not been a perfect season and I’m faced with pretty impossible odds no matter what I do this weekend. But I can’t and won’t give up. You never know what might happen – however unlikely it may seem.”

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