TrackTorque: World champ ‘at last’ for Rosberg
Not everyone agreed with the defending champion's tactics.
NICO Rosberg fans were thrilled to see their man hold on to second position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last Sunday, thus winning the world championship for the first time.
Hamilton man made it exciting for his fans, slowing the race down in the hope that Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen would pass Rosberg, thus handing Hamilton the title.
That’s how close it was.
It was completely within the rules but didn’t do any good for their racing relationship. At the finish there was only 1.6 seconds between the first four cars!
It was apparent from the beginning of the race that Rosberg had chosen the safe strategy of finishing second to win the championship, but we were all taken by surprise when later in the race Hamilton decided “to back Rosberg up”.
Vettel, on an unusual tyre strategy, did very well to make it onto the podium and at one stage was the fastest man on the track.
Verstappen also gave us a magnificent display of brilliant driving and overtaking following his setback in the opening lap when he was bumped into a spin by Nico Hulkenberg and left at the back of the pack.
The other Red Bull, driven by Daniel Ricciardo was only another 3.5 seconds behind in fifth place.
Kimi Raikkonen couldn’t keep up with the top runners and was about 15 seconds back at the finish. He came home sixth.
The last four point scoring positions were filled by Hulkenberg, seventh in his last race for Force India while teammate Sergio Perez was eighth.
Old man of the race Felipe Massa did well to come in ninth and Fernando Alonso in the McLaren Honda earned the last point in tenth.
That was the end of the 2016 season and we can now contemplate the excitement that lies ahead for 2017.
I am really looking forward with great expectations to the new season for a more challenging racing experience, also with the hope that there will be some surprises coming from the new ballpark.
In particular the cars will be wider by 20cm making them a full two metres and will have wider front and rear tyres, lower but wider wings, with very little change in the engine department after previous suggestions of more boost etc.
I would like to wish all motorsport fans seasons greetings and excellent new year with very safe driving on the roads.
All the best from Racing Rod.
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