ABU DHABI: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg won his first Formula One World Championship after finishing second behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, here on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton claimed his 53rd race win, with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel third, the Red Bulls Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo fourth and fifth, respectively.
"That was definitely not the most enjoyable race I've ever had... really not very enjoyable those last laps," said Rosberg in podium interviews conducted by former F1 racer David Coulthard.
"I'm glad it's over, and I am ecstatic. It was really intense and tough out there."
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen said, “I am very pleased with my result and how that race went. After being last after turn 1, having to fight my way back and doing it all on a one-stop was the best we could do and I am happy we pulled it off. I knew I was going to come under attack from the two-stop guys as they obviously had more life left in the tyres, I don’t think I could have held Seb off at the end.”
“When you still finish in front of guys who did an extra stop you have to be pleased with the result, especially as we also finished so close to P1. It was an unfortunate tap at the start which caused the spin, it was just a racing incident though and these things happen. I think Lewis was trying to back us up, and I probably would have done the same, you have to try these things to win a championship. It is very nice to finish the season fifth in the championship and to have had some really good results along the way. After yesterday I wasn’t too happy, so now we finish it on a high. It has been a special season for me this year and I am really excited to get next year underway and hopefully bring more success,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sahara Force confirmed its fourth place finish in the constructors’ championship today as Nico Hulkenberg ended his final race for the team in seventh place, just ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in eighth.
Nico Hülkenberg said, Nico: “It was quite a simple and lonely race actually, mainly racing with my teammate because the top six cars were just out of reach. Turn one was quite interesting because I got hit by Max [Verstappen], which damaged the floor of my car and made things a bit more difficult. Fortunately we had the pace to hold position and bring home the result. It’s great to end my time at Force India with a strong result and help the team finish fourth in the championship. Everybody deserves congratulations and big credit for the amazing job this year. I leave this team with lots of happy memories and Force India will always be a part of my life. I’ve learned a huge amount here and they have made me a better racing driver. We’ve grown up together and I’m proud of what we have achieved.”
