Opinion: Nico Rosberg will be the one to beat in F1 in 2016

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Opinion: Nico Rosberg will be the one to beat in F1 in 2016 Lewis Hamilton may have won the Formula One world championship, but the man who will leave Abu Dhabi with the biggest smile will be his Mercedes teammate, Nico Rosberg. The German is still waiting to secure that elusive first world title, however, judging on his form in the final three races of the season he will definitely be the man to beat at the start of 2016. Rosberg dominated to win pole position at Yas Marina Circuit and backed it up with his ever first race victory in the UAE capital city. While Hamilton can look back on the season as a great success with 10 race wins, the final flourish of his teammate will not go unnoticed. Having not won pole since the fifth grand prix of the season in Spain, it took Rosberg nine more races to qualify in first place. But after Japan, he went on to secure pole position for the final six grands prix of 2015 and gain outright wins in the final three races in Mexico, Brazil and here in the UAE. So what’s changed? Did Hamilton take his foot off the accelerator? Maybe. Is it to do with the car? Probably not as both drivers share the same team, mechanics and engineers. Maybe it’s just Rosberg’s will to win and finish the season in style? That’s my guess. Speaking after the race on the podium last night, Rosberg sounded like a man who did not want the season to end. He said: “I am excited by how the end of the season went. I’m sure it’s going to another great season [next year]. We’re aware of the threat of Ferrari and I will try and keep it going.” Although Ferrari should improve, they have a long way to go to challenge their rivals. Mercedes’ dominance in 2015 saw them secure a record 12 one-two finishes and win 86 per cent of all points. So once again we will see a battle between the two Mercedes for who takes the F1 crown. Although Hamilton is the more talented driver, Rosberg may just beat the Briton to the crown by sheer determination. He will have a while now to take stock of his superb end to the season, but the success in Abu Dhabi may be just what Nico Rosberg needs to drive him on to title glory. Watch out Lewis, 2016 will be the year of the Nico. Read the original story at: Opinion: Nico Rosberg will be the one to beat in F1 in 2016