“That was a surprise, but a real positive to take away from today”. It could start tomorrow if it were up to me, no problem.
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“Austin (where Hamilton won the title) was the low point of the season – since then I’ve come back a lot stronger”, said Rosberg during the podium interviews.
Rosberg’s final lap was 0.377 of a second faster than Hamilton at Yas Marina circuit, and he became the eighth man in Formula One history to record six straight poles. “The tires were still fine at the end”.
Hamilton led twice during the 55 lap race. The team who managed to fit two different types of tyres to Valtteri Bottas’s auto in Belgium were at it again.
The Spaniard eventually finished 17th after starting 16th on the grid. Some part of me just wishes we had given it a go. “Whatever the outcome is we will discuss and see what we can do”. It’s a shame, because I was quicker in the middle stint. He’s joined on the second row by Sergio Perez, quietly impressing for what has been a quietly impressive Force India program for the past few years.
“No issues with the vehicle”, Vettel said.
Hamilton and Rosberg will be at the Brackley headquarters for more testing over the next fortnight, before they take their Christmas break.
PB: “We’ve got 18 laps remaining, I think we may stick with the prime tyre, it’s holding up well”.
Ricciardo finished sixth in his Red Bull. Generally it gets a bit better in the race.
“So whether his stress levels reduced and on an unconscious level…we have to give it a thought over the winter”. I have confidence in the big braking zones here.
Each of the Silver Arrows drivers waited until the last moments of the final qualifying session to decide between themselves who would sit on the pole on race day. Hulkenberg was P7 followed by Williams’ Felipe Massa.
Hamilton secured pole at 11 of the opening 12 races, but has not started from the front of the pack since September’s Italian Grand Prix.
There was better news for struggling Honda-powered McLaren, who had Jenson Button qualifying a giddy 12th at the end of their worst ever season.
By contrast Romain Grosjean was delighted to finish ninth in his last race for Lotus.
“It could be a factor, but I wouldn’t want to reduce it to one single factor. This has been the best season of my career”.
“I’m ecstatic with the way it went”, said Rosberg.
“That has been our game-plan all year, and I lost time because of that”. The start, the pit stops and the tyre management were all really good and I felt like I had it all under control.
Kvyat summed up the mood of all the teams and drivers.
Asked whether they would send each other Christmas presents now that the racing was over, the happy victor tried not to sound churlish.
“It is just a balance thing”.
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“I look forward to it as I’m sure it’s going to be another great season next year”, said Rosberg.
