Verstappen backs Hamilton’s ‘dirty tricks’ in Abu Dhabi finale

Instead, Hamilton took up a pace he would later refer to as “comfortable” allowing the Ferraris of Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen along with the Red Bull auto of Daniel Ricciardo well with striking distance of Rosberg.

And after the race, Team Principal Toto Wolff said that there could be repercussions, hinting that Hamilton could be reprimanded for the action.

“Undermining a structure in public means you are putting yourself before the team”, Wolff said.

Rosberg needed to overtake Verstappen to get closer to Hamilton, but his team told him not to take any risks.

“I don’t think many people from outside appreciate the effort that went into this”, he added.

But Verstappen, who finished fourth behind Rosberg and Vettel, came out in favour of Hamilton’s attempts to win the championship.

While Sebastian Vettel eventually took over as Rosberg’s closest threat at the end, Verstappen completed his one-stop strategy to take fourth place.

“Nico drove well not to make a mistake”, said Hamilton, who won 10 races this year.

“I didn’t expect it but maybe I was naive”, Rosberg said.

The racing track offered surprising twists and excitement to audiences watching the entire competition; they say life goes not with any drama; and so does Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event. Many paddock observers believe this will give Red Bull’s highly-rated designer Adrian Newey a chance to create another race-winning machine.

Wolff is contemplating taking disciplinary action against Hamilton, victor of 10 races this year for the team but who lost out on the title to Rosberg by five points.

Indeed Hamilton, who was bidding to become the first British driver to win four titles after beating Rosberg for the past two seasons, would have won this year’s championship had his engine not blown up in Malaysia.

Mercedes won 19 of this year’s record 21 races with Red Bull winning the other two races, one by Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, who became the youngest race victor in history, and one from Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

“Now I have taken the world championship away from him which is a phenomenal feeling”.

READ: Hamilton: I don’t know why Mercedes didn’t let us race…

“It is remarkable and I admire him for his mental strength and commitment”, Keke added.

“He had two choices – disappear into the distance and show he is the quickest guy on the planet irrespective of what’s happening in the back or decide the other way and bunch them up behind him”.

Then he jumped out of his auto and danced around the track before being hugged by his mechanics.

Hamilton made a point of coming over to congratulate Rosberg and offered him a hug. Rosberg then grabbed Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel managed to get the third spot on the podium.

“Can’t believe it’s over”, Rosberg said. However, Rosberg was in contention then because of a double points rule.