Hamilton proud of achievements regardless of Abu Dhabi result

Rosberg holds a 12-point advantage over his Mercedes team-mate and a podium in Abu Dhabi will give him the title no matter where Hamilton finishes.

Back in 2014 the German trailed his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton by 17 points after the Briton had five wins in the previous six races.

Hamilton was required to win all the remaining races since the Japanese Grand Prix to take the Championship battle to the last race of the season.

King will return to the wheel for Manor in Friday’s free practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking the place of Esteban Ocon, who is moving to Force India for 2017.

Asked if getting through a tricky race in Brazil was the last major hurdle, he said: “Abu Dhabi is going to be a hard race weekend, like always”.

“I can’t and won’t give up”, he told mercedesamgf1.com. “Realistically it is 50-50, I do think Lewis has been on great form had it not been for mechanical issues”, said the 18-year-old. “We’re continuing to make history together”.

Meanwhile, Rosberg laughed off suggestions that his “one race at a time” approach won’t apply for the title showdown.

The last race of the Formula One season takes place this weekend, as the title fight goes down to the wire in Abu Dhabi. “I have to treat this like any otherrace”.

“If Prost needed to win he risked more, if not he tried to get the position he needed”, said Villeneuve.

While Hamilton cruised effortlessly in the lead – “I was just chilling up front … it was a very easy race generally”, he said on the podium – Rosberg struggled to generate traction out of the circuit’s waterlogged corners, and he nearly lost his auto completely charging around the circuit’s treacherous turn 13-14-15 ascent to the start-finish straight.

“It’s not the end of my career with McLaren-Honda, but it’s the start of a new phase that I’m incredibly positive about”.

“I’ve done a good dozen days around Yas Marina over the course of time, so that side of things won’t be a problem”.

“Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won’t be any different and I still have to go all out for a good result”. “They are both deserving champions, so we’ll see what comes”. It also shows how much this team has achieved.

It really was exciting to watch as the young Dutchman carved his way through the field in soaking wet conditions.This man is really a talent that we will recognise as a world champion one day soon.