ON REFLECTION- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Rosberg has 2016 momentum
So despite having a less powerful engine, Nico Rosberg swept to an easy victory in the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi.
The German won the final three races, and has plenty of momentum heading into the New Year.
His critics will validly point out that his best performances of the season came when Lewis Hamilton had already won the world championship and the pressure was off, but there is more to it than that.
Hamilton was desperate to halt Rosberg’s momentum in Abu Dhabi, but he lost by some way. Rosberg’s qualifying lap was outstanding and his race pace was superior.
A refreshed Hamilton will regain the lost ground over the winter and will start 2016 as the overwhelming favourite to win again, but the tide has turned slightly to make it more even between the pair.
Hamilton claims to have struggled since Singapore, when Mercedes did a major car update. Next year’s model will be an evolution of the current product.
There is work for the champion to do, and he will no doubt do it, but when we reach Australia he may not be as confident of success as he was a few races ago.
Alonso future in jeopardy
Eric Boullier and Fernando Alonso in the garage
Is there a sadder sight than seeing Fernando Alonso trawl around at the back week after week before an eventual and inevitable retirement?
It may be time for the 34-year-old to face facts. It is highly unlikely that he will add a third world championship while he remains with McLaren.
The team are so far behind that it is unlikely they will be in a position to win races until the rules change again. For Alonso, that may be too far away.
His hunger has gone this season. Constant swipes at the sport and his team show that he is falling out of love with F1, and who can blame him?
The Spaniard, who for the majority of his career was the best on the grid, seems to be heading for the exit door.
If the 2016 McLaren feels bad in pre-season, the sense is that he will walk away. What a sad end that would be for an unfulfilled career. Alonso may be a double world champion, but for a man as talented as him that is not enough.
Raikkonen can cash in when Vettel can’t
Kimi Raikkonen
It may seem mad to many that Ferrari are persisting again with Kimi Raikkonen next year. The 35-year-old is a shadow of his former self and his wheel-to-wheel craft seems to have deserted him slightly.
But he showed in Abu Dhabi why he is such a valuable asset. His team-mate, and clear Ferrari number one Sebastian Vettel, qualified in 15th and so was out of the hunt. He would not be able to challenge Mercedes and claim his regular third place.
That task was left to Kimi, and he delivered.
The Finn finished only 19 seconds behind Rosberg, and was over 40 seconds ahead of Sergio Pérez, who many tipped to beat him on race day.
Raikkonen may be inconsistent and not as quick as he was, but he is a reliable number two who will rarely let Ferrari down.
2016 will be a two-horse race
First corner right after the start
Finally, Red Bull has confirmed that they will be on the grid next year- with owner Dietrich Mateschitz said to have a renewed hunger for the sport.
However, the sight of them winning again is unlikely to be seen in 2016. Red Bull will use a Renault engine again, and until they find an alternative it is hard to see them mixing it with Mercedes.
McLaren are a long way off scoring points, let alone winning and we wait with anticipation to see how new teams Haas, Aston Martin and Renault line up.
But Mercedes will have a challenger next year.
Ferrari may be in a league of their own as the second fastest team, but they are improving race by race.
With their resources, technical personnel and world class drivers; it would be a surprise (and a let down) if they weren’t fighting with Mercedes.
Rosberg should push Hamilton close next year, like he did in 2014. Add in Vettel and it could be spectacular.
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