Rosberg clinches F1 world title

“That was definitely not the most enjoyable race, with Max at the beginning and then those guys coming up at the end”, Rosberg said, as reported by the Guardian.

After missing out on a third straight F1 title and fourth overall, Hamilton will be hugely motivated next year. Rosberg now joins Damon Hill as the only other driver in the championship’s 66-year history to emulate his father in becoming world champion.

But it is Rosberg, after a hairy exchange with Max Verstappen, a slow first pit stop, and Hamilton backing him into the clutches of the rest of the pack, who has emulated his father Keke – the 1982 title victor – to become the sport’s 33rd champion.

“I’m very, very proud to have done the same feat as my father – it will be exciting to see him”, he added. My dad and my mum are such a big part of this.

“It looked like he chose to get on with it at that point, we know Max isn’t the easiest auto in the paddock to overtake. It’s his way of stepping back a bit for sure”.

Rosberg appeared to be fighting against emotional collapse throughout the press conference.

“But it’s not something I need to discuss because it is really easy to understand the team’s side because we have done the same thing all year and it doesn’t change in the last race, but at the same time you can understand Lewis”. A couple of swift or aggressive moves from Vettel or Verstappen could push him back just far enough for the Britton. “It was so intense”.

Rosberg did not blame Hamilton for his backing-up tactics.

Mercedes supremo Toto Wolff accused Hamilton of “anarchy” as his driver tore up the company rulebook and adopted a more ruthless style of driving in the season finale.

“He was doing it perfectly and there was no way through for me”. I thought about it but it was pointless.

Last season, Hamilton sealed the title with three races to spare, while in 2014 it also went down to the final race in Abu Dhabi. He said, “I don’t think I did anything unsafe, I don’t think I did anything unfair”. If Rosberg was indeed overtaken by the two, he would’ve lost the championship.

The German won the opening four races of the season to open up a 43-point lead over Hamilton, only for the Briton to fight back – by the summer break, Hamilton had turned the deficit into a 19-point lead.

“Today, Nico is world champion and is a deserved world champion”.

“I’m sure it’s going to be pretty insane now and for the next few days”.

There was plenty of drama throughout the race, something Rosberg said he would never like to experience again.

“I’m going to have a lot of fun tonight, celebrating with the team and everyone”.