The F1 season comes to a climax in just under a weeks time and by the time the chequered flag comes down at Abu Dhabi we’ll have a new World Champion. Like most of the country we’ll be hoping Lewis Hamilton can hold off his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and claim a second Drivers’ World Championship.
Despite being favourite for the title, it might not be the cruise to the finish line for Lewis that we’re all hoping for, and Nico will be doing all he can to spoil the party. So if you’re in need of a bit of reassurance before the big race here are 5 reasons to feel confidant that Hamilton can hold his nerve and finish the day as champion.
1. He likes to leave it late
Hamilton left it late to clinch his first Drivers’ World Championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2008. He went into the race knowing that even if his closest title rival at the time (Felipe Massa) won the race, all he needed to do was finish in the top five. Massa started the final lap of the race in 1st position with Hamilton trailing the car in 5th by 18 seconds. The championship was Massa’s right until the final corner of the race where Hamilton made a last gap pass of Timo Glock, the rest as they say is history.
2. Mercedes Reliability
The Mercedes have been two of the most reliable cars of the season, with both drivers only having to retire twice because of mechanical faults. Hamilton has been forced to retire on one other occasion after the two Mercedes team-mates controversially collided at the Belgian Grand Prix. Lets hope we get a good clean fight in the final race of the season.
3. Grid position counts for nothing!
Hamilton hasn’t made his name in Formula 1 by starting from the front of the grid to win races. Their aren’t many better racers on the track and you can guarantee he’ll be pushing for a place on the podium by the end of the race, no matter where he starts on the grid! In this years Hungarian Grand Prix Hamilton qualified in 22nd place but still managed to battle his way to 3rd, edging Rosberg who started at the front of the grid into 4th place.
4. Rosberg has to beat him
There are no end of different outcomes that could see either man crowned champion, but one thing that’s certain is if Rosberg wants to be crowned champion he’ll have to finish ahead of Hamilton, something which he has only managed six times so far this season. He’ll also need lady luck on his side and will be hoping that Hamilton has a race to forget.
5. Karting history
This isn’t the first time Hamilton and Rosberg have been battling it out for a championship and 14 years ago they found themselves in a very similar position. Both were rising stars at Mclarens MBM.com karting team, competing in Formula A and like in this years F1 Drivers’ Championship it was tight at the top. Hamilton just managed to pip his team-mate to the title and we’ll all be hoping that history can repeat itself at Abu Dhabi this Sunday.