Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Nico Rosberg on pole – again

Rosberg set the pace early on before Hamilton posted the fastest time with 30 minutes to go and no one was able to topple him.

Following the form of late, Rosberg should again emerge victorious and so it’s worth also considering backing the Rosberg/Hamilton finish in the Forecast market at [2.3].

Speaking after victory in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg said: “Austin was a low point of the season, it was a tough weekend”.

“My last lap felt absolutely fantastic and it’s great to be starting P1 again”.

“It disrupted my stop and unsettled the boys quite a bit – the worst outcome for me was that I fell out of the DRS zone I’d been chasing to stay within all race”.

Hamilton will also wear the UAE colours on his race gloves during the season-ending Grand Prix.

“I’m excited about how the end of the season went and next year – it can come any moment, it could start tomorrow if it were up to me, no problem”. The first run was okay, but I knew there was room to improve. “Of course, though, whatever we learn this year as well helps going into next year, so it would be great finishing on a high”, he added. He began by complaining about the seating position and ended the session saying “the vehicle is not feeling good”. Who I am today is who I am, and I will behave this way regardless of who I was working for.

“We’ve shown Mercedes is the best team in the world”.

Perez couldn’t touch his set time and had to watch and see how Räikkonen, who has been quick all weekend, jumped ahead of him into the top 3 by one tenth of a second.

Sergio Perez was third for Force India, four-tenths adrift.

“I am not thinking about momentum for next year …” All of my laps this evening were very clean and tidy, and we managed to get the maximum from the auto.

Speaking on the podium to David Coulthard, Hamilton said: “I’m happy the season is over so we can all enjoy it”. Mercedes continued where they left off in 2014, with the fastest vehicle by a long shot and it became pretty apparent for anyone following the pre-season test sessions that the Anglo-German squad would be hard to beat.

The final race will be held on Sunday, November 29.

Vettel, pictured below, rued a costly error by his Ferrari team after he was surprisingly knocked out at the first stage of qualifying. Vettel could be the driver to watch as he makes his way up the field on a track where overtaking opportunities are at a premium. During the lap the auto suddenly shut down.

In a mirror of his fightback following a pit lane start here in 2012, but without the luck he had in that drive when he hit a trackside sign and benefited from a safety vehicle, Vettel lost no time in making up places.

“It is a small mistake with a big effect”. “Nico’s vehicle looks like it’s really well underneath him”.