Nico Rosberg is the new Formula One World Champion.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s engine failure whilst leading the Malaysian Grand Prix and Nico Rosberg’s victory in Japan, it has been somewhat inevitable.
Rosberg knew that all he had to do was finish second in the final four races of the season behind his Mercedes team-mate to claim the 2016 title and that is exactly what happened.
In Abu Dhabi, all Hamilton could attempt to do was back Rosberg up into the challenging Ferrari’s and Red Bull’s, but even doing his best to drive as slowly as possible, the Mercedes came home one and two.
It means that just like his father Keke Rosberg, Nico takes the title despite another driver winning more races over the course of the season.
In 1982 over a 16 race season, Keke Rosberg won only one race the Swiss Grand Prix, whilst Alain Prost, Niki Lauda, Didier Pironi, John Watson and René Arnoux all won two races apiece.
That opened up the title for Rosberg who clinched the championship by 5 points ahead of John Watson and Didier Pironi, who coincidently didn’t start the final 5 Grand Prix of the season after a career ending crash in testing.
Fast-forward to 2016 and whilst Nico Rosberg’s title is much more noteworthy, he too came in second in the form of race wins with Rosberg winning 9 and Hamilton winning 10.
Hamilton ended up also 5 points behind Rosberg.
If you like coincidental stats, both Rosberg’s won the title racing the number 6 and the Rosberg’s are only the second father and son combination to win the Formula One World Championship after Graham and Damon Hill.
Spookily with Damon Hill’s triumph coming 34 years after his father’s, Keke and Nico’s titles have also come 34 years apart.
‘That was definitely not the most enjoyable race I’ve ever had, Those laps were really not very enjoyable. I’m glad it’s over, and I am ecstatic.’ Rosberg told Sky Sports after the podium celebrations.
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