Hamilton adviced on title challenge by Raikkonen

It could not have been scripted better.

Owing to the fact the race is run at twilight, the schedule is to be run to the familiar European timings, with FP1 underway at 09:00am on Friday morning and Qualifying and the race underway at 13:00pm on Saturday and Sunday respectivly. If the German finishes seventh the championship protagonists would be tied on points, but Hamilton would clinch the title by virtue of having scored more third places. The Mercedes teammates are evenly matched this season, winning nine races each.

Asked by GQ Magazine whether Rosberg, on 367 points and 12 ahead of Hamilton (355), would seal a first world championship this weekend, the Brit said: “Well, unless one of us crashes into him”.

“That confidence gives me the opportunity to drive at the limit”. “I really hope the final, and 250th race of my Formula One career, can be a fantastic one. It will be a big battle and hopefully the fans will get a great show to end the year”.

Haven’t we been here before?

Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and, more recently, Lewis Hamilton have laid claim to the unofficial title of Formula 1’s rain master through superb mastery of wet conditions, but perhaps it is another Briton who truly deserves that moniker.

If Rosberg is not able to clear the Red Bulls in good time, Verstappen has warned him he will not think twice about going for another of his headline overtakes.

Hamilton won his second title in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

Rosberg trailed Hamilton by 19 points heading into the summer break, but then turned the tables on Hamilton, who seemed to be drifting out of the reckoning only a few races ago.

“[Alonso] went into that race similar to Nico just needing to finish in the top three to be world champion”.

Whether Rosberg has been the faster man over the season is open to debate, but if he does leave the UAE as champion, he will be a worthy victor, even if Hamilton does not agree.

Rosberg has arguably carried a weight of expectation ever since he tried out his racing abilities in a go-kart at the age of six.

The 35-year-old Spaniard had suggested to his former F1 colleague Mark Webber that he was interested in following him into the WEC.

“Even though, of course, initially, it is not something that is super comfortable, because my mechanics were close to me and it feels good and everything, to then change takes time to gel”.

“I was actually with Serena last week in LA. she came out to Mexico (for the race) which for me was a real honour to have someone of her power, someone who has achieved so much”, Hamilton told reporters in Abu Dhabi. Vettel’s wheel a couple of inches wide of the dry line, a half-spin and Button was through to take a win that will be remembered for as long as people talk about F1.

Following a spell with Benetton, he joined BAR in 2004 and won his first race with the team, now renamed Honda, at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton agreed on Friday to differ on the reasons for Mercedes’ decision to swap their vehicle crews this year.

The two-time World Champion says he will only consider a career away from the sport once he has secured a third title, more than 10 years since his second. “(With the same engine) as the auto that wouldn’t stop during testing”.

“Even if he drops back to fifth at the start, the auto is still quick enough that he could get through during the race”.

“I predict that Hamilton will win the race hands-down on a track he loves”, Chiesa said.