The day Nico Rosberg was crowned Formula 1 world champion

With two Grands Prix remaining at the end of the 2021 season, the suspense is still total for the world title between Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). If the Dutchman has a first opportunity to be crowned at the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in history, on December 5 in Jeddah, the title could well be decided during the last race of the year, on the Yas Marina circuit (Abu Dhabi). The last time the world title in the premier discipline of motorsport was decided at the last checkered flag was in 2016, already in Abu Dhabi. Nico Rosberg then emerged victorious from his duel with Lewis Hamilton, already.

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The Briton was also in the hunter's position at the time. The Mercedes driver entered the end of the season twelve points behind his teammate. For the 29th time in the history of Formula 1, the title was decided during the final meeting of the year at the end of a season where their rivalry continued to grow, the first round of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona being the symbol of 'a friendship gone by.

In Abu Dhabi, both Silver Arrows started from the front row for the fifteenth time in 21 races, Hamilton then signing his sixty-first career pole position, the twentieth in 2016 for the German team and the fifteenth in a row. Still in the lead ahead of his teammate and title rival, Hamilton slowed his pace to allow the Ferrari and Red Bull to get back on the championship leader hoping to see them get in between. By finishing on the podium, the son of Keke Rosberg (1982 World Champion), in fact assured himself the title independently of the result of the former resident of McLaren. The German ultimately retained his second place until the end and enjoyed his first and only World Champion title, since he decided, less than a week after his coronation, to retire to everyone's surprise. He was ahead of his teammate by five points in the Drivers' Championship (385 points against 380). “This is what I have pursued throughout my career, and the mission is accomplished for me. It's a dream come true. I never give up. If I had finished second, I would definitely have continued for another year next year. » had justified the new retiree.

Nico Rosberg celebrated by his team (Photo DPPI)

Five years later, will Abu Dhabi once again be the scene of the ultimate battle for the world crown?

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