Nico Rosberg will be the one to beat in F1 in 2016

But the race became a smaller issue after Hamilton questioned his team after they pitted him ten laps after the German, despite him being just 1.3 seconds behind the leader at one point. But then his lap gains began to decrease and Rosberg knew he had the race won, his sixth victory of the season. Maybe it’s just Rosberg’s will to win and finish the season in style?

Hamilton drew level with Stewart’s British record of three championships by winning this year’s F1 crown, which he wrapped up at the U.S. Grand Prix in late October. The option tyre (a super-soft tyre) had eight laps, but even though the auto was lighter it would not have lasted until the end.

While Mercedes are way of the threat posed by Ferrari next year, it is the all-conquering Silver Arrows who will remain the team to beat. I haven’t finished the season as strongly as I started it – but what an incredible year it’s been.

“Austin (Texas) was very disappointing for me”.

“He is still pushing very hard – he still has the same talent and puts the same effort into his races”.

“My tires were done at the end of the first stint sitting behind Nico”.

“This team has done a remarkable job, so a big thank you to everyone back at the factories”. So I honestly felt I could have potentially taken them to the end.

Rosberg will go into the winter hoping his strong finish is a sign of things to come next season.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff speculated after the race that Rosberg’s renewed spark may have been caused by a release of pressure from no longer having to fight for the title.

“And there are championships which are overtaking us on the right, like WEC (world endurance), MotoGP (motorcycling)”.

“I think we have to do an intelligent list over the next couple of weeks and try to analyse why”.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who started 15th, finished in fourth.

“Obviously I would have loved to get on the podium again, but I think today’s result was the best possible one for us as a team”, Vettel said.

“Since then a lot of time has been lost. I’m happy. I’m happy it’s over, for sure, so now we can really enjoy”.

Sergio Perez was an excellent fifth for Force India with Nico Hulkenberg seventh, as Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was the meat in a Force India sandwich in sixth.

While Hamilton can look back on the season as a great success with 10 race wins, the final flourish of his teammate will not go unnoticed.

Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr and Max Verstappen filled positions 14 through to 16. An additional 20 seconds was also added to his time for ignoring blue flags.

The season-ending race was otherwise notable for a first lap crash tangle which eliminated Lotus driver Pastor Maldonando and saw Fernando Alonso forced to get a new front wing on his McLaren-Honda.

Alonso was held responsible by stewards and given a pit drive-through penalty.