Ferrri driver Kimi Raikkonen finished third on the podium in a race where wear and degradation were within limits, to the point where even Lewis Hamilton – chasing his team mate for victory – questioned on team radio whether or not he needed to make a second stop at all. The Briton, who clinched the title in Texas last month with three races to spare, finished 8.2sec behind after an attempt at a different strategy failed to produce the desired result. “I’m excited about how the end of the season went, and next year … it could start tomorrow if it were up to me, no problem”.
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Lewis Hamilton was only too keen to re-assert his world champion credentials despite Nico Rosberg’s bowing out of the season in commanding style with his win in the Abu Dhabi GP.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany celebrates with team members after the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. “Maybe we’ll see each other in the Amber Lounge (post-race party) afterwards”.
“I don’t know. We have to do an intelligent list over the next couple of weeks to try to analyse”.
“I’m feeling very happy”, beamed Rosberg, whose recent performances have belied those he gave earlier in the season, suddenly giving voice to the suggestion that he may provide a much sterner challenge in 2016.
Prior to the second stops Hamilton had closed the gap to Rosberg to 1.3 seconds, but, having finally made his final tyre change, he re-emerged from the pits with the gap having grown to 12.5 seconds.
“Mercedes will eventually be beaten, but I’m not sure the rest of the teams are really good enough yet to be able to take them on”, Stewart added.
Rosberg signalled his and Mercedes’ awareness of the threat from Ferrari.
Daniel Ricciardo was sixth for Red Bull ahead of Nico Hulkenberg in the second Force India, Felipe Massa of Williams, Romain Grosjean who marked his last race for Lotus with a surge to ninth and Daniil Kvyat in the second Red Bull. “There is nothing to stop Rosberg winning”.
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Rosberg faces a crucial year after finishing runner-up to Hamilton, who can become Britain’s first ever four times champion, for the past two campaigns.
