The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix signalled the end of the 2016 Formula One season as Nico Rosberg was crowned world champion, with Mercedes-GP teammate Lewis Hamilton winning the race. Reporting from the Yas Marina Circuit, Graham Caygill picks the big talking points from the race.
Verstappen’s pace
Considering he was facing the wrong way exiting Turn 1 at the start, fourth was a mighty effort from Max Verstappen. The teenager kept calm in his Red Bull Racing car despite his early spin, charged back through the field, looked after his tyres well and demonstrated once again why he could be the biggest threat to the dominance of Mercedes-GP in 2017.
Hard to pass
Lewis Hamilton’s tactics of driving deliberately slow to keep Nico Rosberg in touch of the cars behind was understandable, given the circumstances, but it was an indictment of how hard it is to pass in F1 that the Briton could three times be warned to speed up by his team but never be threatened with an overtaking move.
Vettel’s pace
For the second time in three years it has been a winless season for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, but he can go into the winter break after a great drive and his pace in the closing laps on the supersoft tyres set up the grandstand finish to proceedings.
Massa finishes in style
Felipe Massa signed off from Formula One in impressive fashion as he took ninth for Williams in his final race before retirement. The Brazilian maintained his record of scoring points in every race at Yas Marina Circuit he has competed in, which dates back to 2010.
Applause for Button
While Massa scored points, the other driver competing in his final race, Jenson Button, only made it to Lap 12 before the front-right steering on his car failed. But he was still given a standing ovation by spectators in the Main Grandstand when he returned to the pits in tribute to the 2009 world champion’s fine career.
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