Nico Rosberg: “Approach this race like any other”

The first two match points did not go in favor of Nico Rosberg. Whether in Mexico or Brazil, the German driver failed to get ahead of his teammate at Mercedes and last rival Lewis Hamilton in order to secure his first world title.

If in Mexico, Rosberg did not have his destiny in his hands, a victory at Interlagos two weeks later could have assured him the crown, but Hamilton had shown himself to his advantage on the wet track of Sao Paolo, offering himself his first success in the country of Ayrton Senna.

This Sunday in Abu Dhabi, the data is simple for Nico Rosberg, at the head of a capital of 12 points ahead of his teammate. A third place will be enough to be crowned, without looking at Hamilton's result. Even if this objective is anything but insurmountable for the German, the pressure will be much higher.

“In Brazil, after the race, I joked that I was going to continue taking races one after the other, specifies the championship leader. But, the more I think about it, the more it’s not as crazy as it seems. I have to approach this race like any other.

Doing a good job at a Grand Prix is ​​always a challenge. Nothing in this sport is easy, so this won't be any different and I still have to give everything for a good result. »

Nico Rosberg will have the advantage of being the outgoing winner in Abu Dhabi, a track where he was also on the podium in 2013, before experiencing real disillusionment in 2014, the year when Hamilton snatched the title from him in the final of the Yas Marina Circuit.

“I have a lot of good memories after my victory here last year and it’s a track where I have always been strong in the past, so I have every reason to feel confident, admits the former pilot Williams, who can join his father Keke, 1982 world champion, on the list of winners of the F1. The closer it gets, the more excited I feel. It will be a big battle. »

Discover our presentation of the Abu Dhabi final, in issue 2090 of AUTOhebdo, available this evening in digital version, and this Wednesday on newsstands.