Abu Dhabi – Race: Hamilton bluffs his way to victory but Rosberg takes the Grail!

After a record-breaking season featuring 21 Grand Prix races across the globe, the time had come. The moment to witness the conclusion of a tumultuous season at its peak. Interspersed with a summer interlude led by Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg had held the reins of the drivers’ championship for the rest of the season. However, thanks to a triumphant American tour, the Briton remained in contention up until this Sunday, November 27. For the second time in Formula 1 history after 2014, Abu Dhabi would be the setting for a championship. But for which Mercedes driver?

With 367 points, Rosberg was in the lead. Hamilton was twelve points behind before this grand finale. In all possible scenarios, the simplest for the three-time world champion was to win and then hope for a twist of fate marked by his rival’s fall off the podium. For this, it was necessary to rely on a superb race from both Red Bull or even both Ferrari, quite comfortable in these very particular conditions. Abu Dhabi is, in fact, with Bahrain one of the two sunset races on the calendar, with a sunset start and a finish under the floodlights in the middle of the night.

On the grid of this final round, Hamilton had taken the upper hand, marked by his 61st personal Pole. But Rosberg had secured second place. Behind them, the troublemakers were as follows: Ricciardo and Räikkönen on the second row; Vettel ahead of Verstappen on the third row. Further back, notable mentions include Massa’s tenth place and Button’s twelfth, the future retirees. A traditional end-of-season moment, the family photo brought together one last time the 22 figures of the premier discipline, all together. For once, Massa and Button were placed at its center, between the two crown contenders.

Without surprise, the weather conditions are ideal at the Yas Marina circuit: 27°C in the air; 30°C on the track. After a formation lap without any issues, the beasts were unleashed one last time in 2016.

Hamilton keeps the lead at the start ahead of Rosberg, the Red Bulls lose ground!

At the start, the two title rivals maintained their positions. Passed by Hülkenberg, Verstappen spun while attempting to regain his position on the inside! The young Dutchman fell to the back of the pack. Räikkönen snatched third place from Ricciardo, a bad start for Red Bull! After one lap, the top 10 was as follows: Hamilton, Rosberg, Räikkönen, Ricciardo, Vettel, Pérez, Hülkenberg, Alonso, Massa, Bottas.

From then on, it was interesting to see the evolution of the pace of the two Mercedes. Hamilton was driving at a steady pace but not devilishly fast. After six laps, Räikkönen was just over a second behind. In the middle of the pack, Verstappen had already moved back into the points, after overtaking a well-placed Jolyon Palmer in his Renault.

Premature retirements for the big guns as Button exits the stage!

Two laps later, the first notable event involving the two contenders: Lewis Hamilton opted for an aggressive strategy and already got rid of his ultra-softs. He swapped his tires for softs. A slight hesitation during his mechanics’ intervention! Right after, Rosberg also came into the pit to perform the same operation. The German also lost time as he had to let Vettel, who was stopping at the same moment, go by. The first wave of pit stops was in full swing, and the big players were all together again. Only Verstappen stayed on track, putting him back in the battle against Rosberg!

The provisional leader of the world championship attempted a timid offensive, without success.

LAP 10/55: VES separating the two Mercedes title rivals – ROS has a good look at the Dutchman but can’t get past #AbuDhabiGP #F1Finale pic.twitter.com/AhifjL372X

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 27, 2016

The stress was mounting for Rosberg, provisionally in third place. The six lead cars were almost bumper to bumper. Räikkönen was behind the German, ahead of Ricciardo, Vettel, and Verstappen.

On the 13th lap, Formula 1 fans felt a twinge as Jenson Button’s suspension broke. The McLaren driver ended his immense career with this incident, not without a well-deserved round of applause from the paddock!

Already the third general retirement from this race, after the withdrawals of Bottas and Magnussen. However, the battle continued at the front on several levels! Räikkönen was perfectly defending his position against Ricciardo. Moments later, spectators of this race witnessed a potentially decisive overtake. Rosberg cleverly passed Verstappen. It was neck-and-neck, a bold maneuver: he narrowly avoided a collision!

WOW! Max Verstappen & Nico Rosberg are having a great tussle here. Don’t miss it on Sky F1. Cracking move Rosberg https://t.co/je9A6SVUfd pic.twitter.com/gY3Ry7SfC1

— Sky Sports F1 🏎 (@SkySportsF1) 27 novembre 2016

The 19-year-old driver was heading to the pits at the end of the 22nd lap. But the threat remained for car number 6. Indeed, Verstappen was opting for a one-stop strategy!

Vettel is pushing hard, poker bluff from Hamilton?

His teammate did the same on the 25th lap, switching to soft tires. From then on, things seemed to turn in favor of the two Mercedes, leading with a clear path. Ricciardo was mainly thinking about undercutting Räikkönen. After his own stop, “Iceman” lost the advantage against the two Red Bulls. But would all these drivers hold up until the finish? That was the challenge at the halfway point of the race.

In any case, the two Mercedes cars were each observing a second—and probably last—stop. Two impeccably mastered pit stops by the reference team. The start of the two title contenders’ stints was to Rosberg’s advantage, as he was coming back strong, closing the gap to a second. A curiously slow pace, publicly mentioned by his engineer over the radio. Though in second place, the Briton still had to watch out for Sebastian Vettel, who remained in the lead.

The Ferrari driver dived at the end of the 37th lap for his final pit stop. Vettel returned to the chase on super-soft tires, in sixth place. Hamilton therefore took the lead of this final Grand Prix, with Rosberg always on the lookout. From then on, only an unexpected race incident remained to hope for a change in the championship.

Hamilton plays his last card of the season!

In fact, his only viable tactic now was the one proposed by Christian Horner: skillfully slowing down the pack and his rival at the top. Even with worn tires, the Red Bulls were still in the race! And also, Vettel was coming back, like a bullet! After passing his teammate without difficulty, the four-time world champion had both Red Bulls in his sights. Quickly, he overtook Ricciardo. But ahead, Hamilton continued his little game!

Vettel and Verstappen were within less than two seconds of each other. Tenth after tenth, these two drivers created the last bit of suspense of significant importance: any change in position could alter the World Championship standings.

With 5 laps to go, the four leading drivers were within three seconds of each other. Vettel chose the moment to overtake Verstappen in the second DRS zone. There was no more air in Abu Dhabi, especially in the Mercedes camp. Paddy Lowe personally ordered Hamilton to accelerate: a tense moment in the final laps of the season! Which resulted in a memorable radio exchange that will most certainly be remembered.

“📺”Lewis, this is Paddy. We need you to pick up the pace to win this race”

“📺”I’m in the lead right now. I’m quite comfortable where I am” pic.twitter.com/CmepAo1Nrn

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 November 2016

Last lap of this paradoxical yet incredibly thrilling race: Hamilton attempted the impossible, nothing changed. Despite his victory in Abu Dhabi, the Briton relinquishes the title.

Second, Nico Rosberg becomes world champion!! The German is crowned in his turn, the 33rd driver to adorn a world crown.

This exceptional event truly deserved a celebration commensurate with the efforts invested since the beginning of his career.

Donuts, world champion style! 🔄🙌#F1Finale #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/qCtP2slIzt

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 novembre 2016

Hugs all round for the new world champion…#AbuDhabiGP #F1Finale 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/89Dp9JiGDw

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 novembre 2016

On the podium, despite the disappointment clearly visible for Hamilton; the two rivals and teammates shook hands before giving each other an embrace.

HAM: “I just want to say thanks to the team and my family. And congratulations to Nico – the new world champion” #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/dyOyQh6gCQ — Formula 1 (@F1) 27 novembre 2016

To conclude, find the complete ranking of this 2016 epilogue:

PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION: Got your breath back yet? Here’s how the #AbuDhabiGP, and the 2016 season, finished… #F1Finale pic.twitter.com/2RWDWl6HY0

— Formula 1 (@F1) 27 novembre 2016

The curtain thus falls on a new Formula 1 season. Now it’s time for reactions, which you can follow throughout the day and next week!