The decider in the desert promised much – we’d been waiting for it since testing began in Jerez back in March really – but it was largely over by the first corner after Hamilton pounced on Rosberg following an uncharacteristically poor start for the German.
It was always going to be a tough ask for Rosberg, but he soon had a mountain to climb after his ‘ERS’ power unit failed mid-way through the race. From then his challenge faded rapidly despite his best efforts. If he finished 5th and Hamilton retired he would be world champion, but Rosberg’s woes only got worse amid increasingly terminal brake wear and he eventually slipped all the way to 14th place and out of the points. This rather cruely enabled Hamilton to lap him on his way to an 11th victory this year, and 2nd world championship, surely placing him amongst the all-time greats.
Hamilton’s promise to ‘drive it like I stole it’ before the race caused much laughter, even getting a smirk from messers Lauda and Wolff. However, it seemed he would genuinely need to in the closing laps as his old-title rival in 2008, Felipe Massa (hungry for his first win since that day at Interlagos) on the faster option tyre set about chasing him down. It would prove fruitless though, as Hamilton crossed the line 4 seconds ahead of the Brazilian.
On the podium a clearly emotional Hamilton said: ‘This is the greatest day of my life. 2008 was special but the feeling I have now is way past that. It’s the greatest feeling I have ever had.’ With F1 seen by most as a heartless sport, it did, for once, show a moment of real warmth as Nico Rosberg was allowed into the drivers’ room post-race to embrace Hamilton – perhaps highlighting that their fractious relationship this year can be overcome. Rosberg must also be credited for showing a commendable level of dignity and respect; despite being offered the chance to retire he was determined to finish to not have any taken gloss off what has been an incredible season.
With McLaren switching to Honda next year whilst Red Bull stick it out with Renault, Mercedes’ bullish claims last week that they have increased engine performance to around an extra 0.8 seconds a lap, may mean Rosberg and Hamilton will have to do it all over each next year.
Tom Moore
Image courtesy of city am.com