The 2016 Formula One season has gone right down to the final race of the season, as the winner has not been confirmed yet. However, Nico Rosberg is the overall favourite as the German enjoys a 12 point lead, but he has been pushed by his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in the last three races, winning all of them to be alive in the title race.
Hence all eyes are on Rosberg and Hamilton in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which starts with the practice session on Friday, followed by qualifying and the final race of the season in the next two days.
Defending champion Hamilton has been brilliant of late, but unfortunately, even a win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix might not be plain enough for him to lift the title. Rosberg can clinch the title by claiming the third place, which shows the huge advantage Rosberg possess.
Safe driving from Rosberg should be enough for him to win his maiden F1 title, and that will be a moment to cherish for the German, who has been in great form throughout the season.
With Rosberg being a strong favourite, Hamilton does not want to look back as to what happened this season. There were a few instances when Hamilton's engine gave him problems, but one should applaud him for such a close fight against Rosberg.
"I won't really look back. When I get to the end of the season I'll be looking forwards. I generally don't dwell too much on the past. I can barely remember the races so there's not really much to look back on and dwell about," F1 official website quoted Hamiltoin as saying.
"But you know I've learned a lot this year, grown a lot, my relationship with my engineers, my new mechanics that I have, that relationship has also grown a huge amount, so there has been lots and lots of positives. I'll look into another year," he added.
Despite their impressive season so far, the Mercedes drivers need to have their game mode on in Abu Dhabi as well. A small mistake here or there could prove to be costly, and Rosberg is not focusing on his rivals, as he just wants to concentrate on the last race of F1 season.
"I'm here to win, not think about who might or not come between or be right behind me or whatever. No, I'm just here to win and I know that with the car that I have and the form that I'm in, I can make it happen and I'm just focusing on that. That's it," Rosberg said.
It would be very difficult to move one's focus from the two drivers, Hamilton and Rosberg, but there are other drivers, who will like to finish the season on a high as well. The Red Bulls drivers – Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardio will be keen to stun the Mercedes drivers and win the title. That would be some ending to the F1 season.
Where to watch live
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix schedule
First Friday Practice Session: 1 pm local time, 2.30 pm IST
Second Friday Practice Session: 5 pm local time, 6.30 am IST
Final Practice Session (Saturday): 2 pm local time, 3.30 pm IST
Country | TV Broadcaster |
India | Star Sports 2/HD |
US | NBC |
Canada | TSN |
United Kingdom | BBC, Sky Sports |
Middle East and North Africa | Bein Sports Arabia |
Australia | Network Ten |
Germany, Italy | Sky Sport |
France | Canal+ |
Asia | Fox Sports |
Country | Online links |
India | Hotstar |
US | NBC Sports Online |
UK | Watch Sky Sports |
Middle East | BeIN Sport Connect |
Asia | Fox Sports Online |
Italy | Sky Go Italy |
Germany | Sky Go Germany |