The day Nico Rosberg was crowned Formula 1 world champion

Before the 2021 final between Lewis Hamilton et Max Verstappen, the last time the world title of the premier discipline of motorsport was decided at the last checkered flag was in 2016, already in Abu Dhabi. Nico Rosberg had then emerged victorious from his duel with Lewis Hamilton, already.

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The Briton was also in the fighter position at the time. The pilot Mercedes entered the final round of the season twelve points behind his teammate. For the 29th time in the history of the 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, the two 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 et Red Bull to return to the championship leader hoping to see them intercalate.

By finishing on the podium, the son of Keke Rosberg (1982 World Champion) secured the title regardless 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)

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