Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (SportsNetwork.com) – Mercedes driver Lewis
Hamilton captured his second Formula One world championship by winning
Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, while his teammate and title rival, Nico
Rosberg, finished 14th in the season-finale.
Rosberg, who entered this race 17 points behind Hamilton, started on the pole,
but Hamilton quickly pulled ahead of Rosberg for the lead heading into the
first turn of the opening lap.
While Hamilton had pulled away from the field, Rosberg experienced a problem
with his ERS (Energy Recovery System) on lap 25, causing a loss of engine
power. Rosberg gradually fell behind in the field and was lapped by Hamilton
on the second-to-lap lap.
Hamilton only relinquished the lead during his two pit stops. Felipe Massa
from Williams chased down Hamilton in the closing laps but finished 2.5
seconds behind him.
It was the 11th win for Hamilton this season. He also earned his 33rd career
win, allowing him to surpass Fernando Alonso for fifth on the all-time F1 race
winners list.
Hamilton ended the season 67 points ahead of Rosberg. This race awarded double
the amount of points for the first time in F1 history.
Hamilton’s maiden F1 title occurred in 2008 when he drove for McLaren. After
completing his second season with Mercedes, Hamilton became the first British
driver to win multiple world championships since Jackie Stewart’s third title
in 1973.
