Momentum. It is a word you are going to hear a lot of over the next week during the build-up to the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
That is because the main narrative for Sunday’s race at Yas Marina Circuit is about which of the two Mercedes-GP drivers will end the season on a high.
Lewis Hamilton has already wrapped up his third drivers’ crown; Nico Rosberg’s victory in Brazil two weeks ago ensured he finishes the season in second. The constructors’ title was won six weeks ago, ensuring that both drivers are free to race in a relaxed manner.
But with Rosberg outperforming Hamilton recently, winning the past two races – and with better fortune, it could have been four in a row – the world champion will want to deny his teammate another morale-boosting victory.
Hamilton went to great lengths post-race in Brazil to tell anyone in his vicinity that he “had the pace” and was quicker than Rosberg in Sao Paulo, despite the fact that he was beaten fair and square by the German.
Hamilton, 30, had boasted of feeling more “mellow” earlier this season, but that has gone out of the window since Rosberg, 29, has raised his game.
Hamilton out-qualified Rosberg 12 times in the first 13 races, taking pole on 11 occasions, but Rosberg is on a streak of five fastest times in qualifying in a row ahead of this weekend.
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The race in Abu Dhabi has considerable significance because Rosberg is on a roll, arguably the best one of his F1 career. He is qualifying well and driving superbly, and for the first time in a long period he looks to have belief in himself.
We already knew Rosberg is a good driver capable of great performances. The question has always been whether he can do it consistently, something he has struggled with in the past, compared to Hamilton.
The pity is that he did not do it earlier in the season; Hamilton beat him in nine of the first 12 races, and that has been the backbone of the Briton’s relatively easy run to a third drivers’ title.
But we should not complain. At least the German’s form is here now, better late than never, and it gives hope he can fight Hamilton much more closely in 2016, a fact that has not been lost on the Briton, judging by the souring of his mood since winning the title.
Hamilton will not want Rosberg to head off into the winter break with three wins in a row as he knows himself what a good end to a season can achieve.
He had, arguably, the worst year of his career in 2011, beaten regularly by McLaren teammate Jenson Button, while making plenty of mistakes on track.
But he put it all together in Abu Dhabi that year, won the race, and used that as a catalyst to be a title contender again 2012 as he put Button in the shade.
Confidence is a powerful thing in F1, and giving Rosberg renewed vigour will not be what Hamilton wants when the 2016 season begins in Australia in March.
Rosberg will be targeting a win; Hamilton is out to stop him and reassert his authority at the front.
Something has to give this weekend, which is why the activity in the Mercedes garage promises to be so much fun over the three days of action.
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