Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg became the 2016 Formula One world champion despite his team-mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who needed Rosberg to finish below third in the race to become the world champion, drove deliberately slowly, defying team orders, in an attempt to bring other drivers into the battle.

Rosberg was under pressure from Sebastian Vettel but managed to hold the Ferrari driver to claim the second spot. Max Verstappen came in fourth, Daniel Ricciardo followed his Red Bull team-mate in fifth.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was sixth ahead of Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, helping Force India easily secured their fourth position in the constructors’ championship. Williams’ Felipe Massa and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso completed the top 10.

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Rosberg kept his cool throughout the race despite the pressure from Vettel, but said it had been tough.

“That definitely wasn’t the most enjoyable race I’ve ever had!” he admitted after the race, as quoted by www.formula1.com.

“With Max early on, and then with these guys coming at the end, it definitely wasn’t fun. I’m just really glad it’s over!”

Hamilton shook hands with Rosberg, who dethroned him as the F1 champion, and they hugged on the podium. “Winning the championships is a great feeling,” Hamilton said as he congratulated his team mate, “and I’m looking forward to fighting with him for it again next year.”

IANS

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, on Sunday won the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, moving up seven points on the world Formula One leader, his German teammate Nico Rosberg, who came in second and was followed by Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo of Australia.

Starting from the coveted pole position, it was Hamilton’s 50th career victory, his seventh win of the current season and his third consecutive triumph on the Texas circuit. Moreover, it was his fourth Grand Prix victory in the past five years, EFE news reported.

With the 25 points he secured on Sunday, the Briton now has 305 points, to Rosberg’s 331, with just three races to go.

German Sebastian Vettel, driving for Ferraro, came in fourth, followed by Spain’s Fernando Alonso, with McLaren-Honda.

Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz, also from Spain, was sixth and Brazil’s Felipe Massa, with Williams, was seventh.

Rounding out the drivers who garnered points for the race were Mexico’s Sergio Perez, with Force India, Briton Jenson Button with McLaren-Honda and French driver Romain Grosjean, with Haas.

Given that Rosberg is 26 points ahead of Hamilton, in actual fact he does not need to win any of the next three races — beginning next week in Mexico City — to grab his first F1 championship. Hamilton could win all three, and Rosberg only needs two seconds and a third place finish to eke out the victory.

IANS