Nico Rosberg has claimed his first Formula One world championship after taking second place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton took the final victory of the season but it was not enough to overhaul the 12-point advantage Rosberg had going into the final round.
The German ended the season five points ahead of his teammate, describing the Grand Prix at Yas Marina as ‘not the most enjoyable race [I’ve] ever had’.
The race was not made easy for him as Hamilton tried to force the German driver back into the cars behind. It was the Brit’s only way to get Rosberg off the podium and into a position where he would become a four-time champion.
“With Max at the beginning, and then those guys coming up at the end, it was really not enjoyable, those last laps, so I’m very glad it’s over, unbelievably ecstatic,” Rosberg said explaining his race.
“I would love to give the win to my wife, [she’s] been amazing, thanks for all the support, and our daughter Alaia… I’ll thank everyone else afterwards, it’s unreal.”
Rosberg’s first world championship comes 20 years after Damon Hill – the only other son to have become world champion after his father. It has been 34 years since Keke Rosberg took his world championship, and it is an accomplishment that Nico Rosberg has been after for a while.
“I’m very, very proud of course to have done the same feat my dad achieved, he’ll come in half an hour, and I’m pretty excited to see him,” Nico said.
Rosberg made sure to commiserate the out-going world champion and his teammate Hamilton on the competitive year they have had battling together.
“Congratulations to Lewis, you did a great season, [you’re a] great competitor, massively quick always, and it’s always tough to beat him.”
2017 will be an interesting season for Rosberg. He will go in as reigning world champion and with a point to prove that he did not just win because of Hamilton’s retirements throughout this season. Hamilton will be on a mission to get his fourth world title, but can anyone else get in between the Mercedes drivers with the new 2017 regulations coming in?
