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Nico Rosberg clinches maiden world championship after tense Abu Dhabi finale
YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Nico Rosberg clinched his first world championship with a gutsy drive to second behind Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The German, who needed a podium finish to secure the title, weathered a tense opening two stints of the race and made a decisive overtake on Max Verstappen at mid-distance to consolidate second position. In the closing stages title rival Hamilton attempted to back his teammate into the chasing Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen, despite several instructions to speed up from the Mercedes pit wall. But it was to no avail as Rosberg held on to finish just 0.4s behind Hamilton and secure the championship.
The title win means Rosberg follows in the footsteps of his father, Keke, who won in 1982, and makes him the second second-generation world champion after Damon Hill. Yas Marina's dramatic finish capped a season which has ebbed and flowed between the Mercedes drivers and means Hamilton has won the final four races of the year without claiming the title.
Hamilton's tactic of backing Rosberg toward the chasing pack was hardly surprising considering he came into the weekend as clear underdog. At the chequered flag the top four were covered by just 1.6s, one of the closest finishes in recent memory and a fitting climax to a close season between Mercedes' drivers, who have shared 19 of the 21 victories this season.
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Post time 28-11-2016 08:45 AM
Post time 28-11-2016 09:15 AM
