[Official] Driver of the Grand Prix: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2016

[Born Racer]

Who was the driver of the final Grand Prix in your opinion?

[FIRE]

Vettel

[P38 in workshop]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Vettel

Agreed.

[TrapezeArtist]

I've changed my mind. I voted for Lewis but I've just watched Eric's interview with Lee Mackenzie so I want to transfer my vote to him.
Because:
1. He reminded me of the overtake on Mad Max.
2. That was the most honest, most human, most emotional interview I've ever seen in the pen.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Rosberg. Just kept his head.

[Akrapovic]

Rosberg. He did exactly what was needed. And when he was told he needed to make a pass on Verstappen, he immediately made the pass and gapped him.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Rosberg. He did exactly what was needed. And when he was told he needed to make a pass on Verstappen, he immediately made the pass and gapped him.

That was a superb pass. He really took that to Verstappen.

[Greem]

Rosberg, because he did what he needed to do to win the WDC.

[GT6]

sentiment wanted me to vote for massa or jensen but nico did exactly what he needed to so gave it to him in the end

[F1Pete]

Kimi. I was blinded by his start to overtake Ricciardo. So blinded that I couldn't clearly see who could have driven better.

[Aysedasi]

I rarely vote for Hamilton, but he gets it from me this time. Just totally in control. Focused, single-minded and perfectly happy to say 'Sod You' to his team....

[BertMk2]

Rosberg - didn't collapse under the pressure and had enough in the tank to get the result he needed.

[Razzzor]

Hate to look like a fanboy, but I've got to give it to Verstappen again. He was last facing the wrong way and had to come back through the field. What would have happened if Verstappen had emerged in front of Hamilton after that first stop, instead of just behind? He could have actually won the race if he kept them both behind, though that's a big IF. Still only ended up right behind them while Kimi and Daniel couldn't keep up.

Vettel did decent, passed two RB's, but would have ever passed the Mercedes? I think the minute he would have passed Nico, Lewis would have disappeared.

[gert]

I think it is very hard to judge the relative performances of the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers.

Lewis slowed everybody down, so that made it easier for Verstappen (early) and Vettel (later) to come back.

I think in a normal race
* Verstappen would have been a distant 6th, maybe 5th
* Vettel would have been 5th, at best 3rd
* the Mercedes drivers would both have disappeared

That takes nothing away from Verstappen or Vettel, but the circumstances were very much helping them today.

I think if Verstappen would have appeared in front, Hamilton would have just passed him.
* he needed to win
* he could go much faster if he wanted/needed to

Maybe one of the Red Bulls would have stood a chance if they had used Vettel's tactics, but not this way.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Rosberg. He did exactly what was needed. And when he was told he needed to make a pass on Verstappen, he immediately made the pass and gapped him.

That was a great move...more so because max is max and it could have easily ended with a retirement.

He took control of his destiny so he gets my vote as well.

[petecossie]

Nico, he didn't panic when Lewis slowed things down to try to get cars between the two of them.

[Neil22]

Nico. Handled the pressure perfectly. Kudos to Sebastian and Max too.

[Kempi]

Nico for putting it on the line when passing Max. Respect for Max for making it hard for Nico but leaving precisely the room required by the rules.

[Mekola]

Rosberg, the man of the race.

[JeremySmith]

Nico Rosberg got the job done and stayed cool ..

[Grandpa_Rob]

Rosberg, say no more.

[JamesH]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

I've changed my mind. I voted for Lewis but I've just watched Eric's interview with Lee Mackenzie so I want to transfer my vote to him.
Because:
1. He reminded me of the overtake on Mad Max.
2. That was the most honest, most human, most emotional interview I've ever seen in the pen.

Who is Eric? And why do people feel to need to use alternative names for people when they actually already have perfectly serviceable names?

[Graz]

Nico - huge pressure, did EXACTLY what he had to do (as well as in the previous 3 races). Hamilton's mind games before and during didn't derail his focus. Quite brilliant and a deserving champion.

[JamesH]

Hamilton for a tactically brilliant race, despite it not getting him the result he wanted.

[andrewc]

Rosberg. Didn't crack under immense pressure. If he adapts to the new 2017 rules as well or better than Hamilton, then a 2nd title may be easier than the first.

Mentions, honorable or otherwise: for Hamilton for doing all he could - even if it meant backing NR up into the chasing pack.

MV's rapid movement up the field from his first lap mistake

SV's pace towards the end on the supersofts.