(L to R) Ferrari’s Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s German driver Nico Rosberg and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrate in the parc ferme after the qualifier session at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, on November 28, 2015, ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.
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Hamilton, who clinched the championship at the U.S. Grand Prix last month, finished 8.2 seconds behind Rosberg at the Yas Marina road course.
Sergio Perez realised Force India’s potential with a solid fifth, fending off a consistent challenge from Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.
Hamilton was content to reflect on another all-conquering season for Mercedes, having amassed 703 points with the Briton winning the drivers’ title by 69 points from Rosberg.
Last time out in Brazil, a frustrated Hamilton bemoaned a “boring” race after following Rosberg home and being denied a different strategy to that of his team-mate from the Mercedes pit wall.
The Mercedes team, which is based in Brackley, England, wrapped up its second straight constructors’ title mathematically on October 11 at the Russian Grand Prix. Hamilton then ran ten laps longer than Rosberg in his second stint, and at one stage looked as though he might try to run to the end, but eventually pitted for softs again.
Hamilton won 10 races this year, but on Sunday was unable to rediscover the form that carried him to the championship.
“I have got this great graph which shows you all the races, and all 12 of the opening races – apart from Barcelona – the vehicle was great”.
Hamilton closed his gap to Rosberg to 1.359 seconds before the German pitted for a second time, but found himself 12.573 seconds adrift after his own second stop 10 laps later.
“Whilst the last three weren’t spectacular, overall it was an incredible year”.
“Maybe they don’t have too many other positive things to talk about”.
“Now we can really enjoy it, but I have to take my hat off to the team, who have done an wonderful job with this auto”.
Lewis Hamilton insists he does not need to make any changes to his personal life despite attracting criticism from his former McLaren boss Ron Dennis.
“I’m not sure if I could have taken my tires to the end – some part of me wishes I had just given it a go”.
Never before had the German won three races in a row, or ended a season so strongly.
“Austin was the low point of the season – it was a tough weekend and since then I’ve just been able to come back a lot stronger”, said Rosberg on the podium in Abu Dhabi.
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Sainz’s team mate Max Verstappen had an adventurous race which included a stop to replace hugely flat-spotted tyres and a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits during a tough fight with McLaren’s Jenson Button.
