Rosberg wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton wrapped up the title at the United States Grand Prix in Texas last month but has had to play an increasingly irritated second fiddle to German rival Rosberg over the remaining three rounds.

Kimi Raikkonen was a lonely third for Ferrari to seal fourth in the Drivers’ standings ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who cut through the field after starting a lowly 15th place.

Nico Rosberg snatched his sixth straight pole position with a dramatic last-gasp lap in Saturday’s twilight qualifying session for Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I’m excited about how the end of the season went and next year could come at any moment”.

Even more worrying for Hamilton is that Mercedes insists its vehicle development direction is correct, with the British driver agreeing that the team intends to keep following that course into 2016.

The triumphant German and his Mercedes team mate, who together secured a record 12th one-two of the campaign, sat side-by-side in the post-race news conference with little in the way of bonhomie.

Speaking after the race on the podium last night, Rosberg sounded like a man who did not want the season to end. “It’s a great battle internally all the time, that’s what I race for”. But the opinion from the garage was that it would be too much of a risk and a reluctant Hamilton came in for the change and in doing so, effectively surrendering the victory.

“I don’t know to be honest because suddenly it has ignited something and he has driven superbly. Next year could start tomorrow for me – I don’t need a holiday”, added Rosberg. I’m happy. I really have to take my hat off to this team.

“Going too long [before the final stop] was probably the wrong thing to do, but we gave it a try and I did the best job I could with it”. It’s always tough to race Lewis.

Sergio Perez ended his impressive season by finishing fifth ahead of Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull and Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India.

Valentino Rossi led the championship for nearly the entire season as he chased a tenth world title, but it wasn’t to be as team-mate Jorge Lorenzo never surrendered and eventually closed the gap to seven points going into the final race in Valencia.

Daniil Kvyat took the final point in his Red Bull with Carlos Sainz in P11 for Toro Rosso followed by McLaren Honda’s Jenson Button and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas, the latter out of position after losing time when he was released into the path of JB during his first pit stop.

Sir Jackie Stewart, tied with Hamilton as Britain’s most successful driver with three titles, hopes Rosberg triumphs next year. McLaren’s Fernando Alonso made contact with the Sauber of Felipe Nasr and hurtled out of control into the blameless Pastor Maldonado of Lotus.

“To have a drive-through (penalty) after you’ve been hit by another vehicle is a bit odd and I think it’s unique”.