Maurizio Arrivabene: This podium finish is a boost to the motivation of the whole team, for the people back home, who have been working so hard since this summer, and for the ones at the track, who never gave up. It's clear that we did not reach the targets we had set for ourselves, yet this last race shows that something is moving in the right direction.
Felipe Massa finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ninth while Valtteri Bottas retired due to a suspension issue. Both cars had a clean start on the ultrasoft tyre, moving up to ninth and 10th after a spin from Max Verstappen. After battling teammate Felipe for ninth, Valtteri came into the pit with a rear suspension issue, which could not be resolved and resulted in retirement.
Felipe's race got off to a strong start and he pitted from P10 for a new set of soft tyres, coming out P13. He made good progress from there, overtaking Romain Grosjean and ran as high as seventh before making his second pitstop for another set of new softs on lap 31. He soon made it up to ninth, and was gaining on Sergio Perez in the closing stages of the race, taking the chequered flag in ninth.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked Valtteri's 77th and Felipe's 250th and final grand prix. Williams has finished fifth in the 2016 Formula One Constructors' Championship.
Rob Smedley, Head of Performance Engineering: It was a tough race, as we expected it to be. Unfortunately, Valtteri went out with a rear suspension failure so we will look into that. Felipe drove a really good race in the car that he had and it was a fitting end to his career. Fernando Alonso gambled on a different tyre strategy but Felipe was able to hold him off until the end and finished ninth. It's not where we really want to be but it was a good job by all the guys.
Thank you to all of the race team for the brilliant job they've all done. We know the car pace isn't quick enough but they've never given up, always strived to get more performance and, between them all, they've done a really good job.
And of course, thanks to the two drivers.
It's unfortunate what's happened today but Valtteri has had a really strong season. We've got to deliver him a better car and he will keep pushing himself because there's a lot more there that we can do together. I've known Felipe since he was a child; he's one of my best mates. He's not only a great driver with an outstanding career, but a really good human being as well. Then there's his family, who have supported him throughout his career - I don't think he ever does a race without one member of his family - and they deserve some credit for that. I wish him all the best for his life in the future.
Christian Horner, Team Principal: "Congratulations to Nico Rosberg on becoming a very worthy world champion following an exciting race today in Abu Dhabi. It always looked likely that Lewis was going to drive the slowest possible race should he be in the lead, and that's exactly what happened. Unfortunately our race took a bit of a knock from the start, firstly with Max when he spun round at the first turn dropping him to the back of the field. Thereafter his recovery was quite phenomenal using the best of the supersoft tyre to make a one-stop race feasible. He fought right to the end but he didn't have enough left in his tyres to fend off the challenge of Sebastian Vettel who was on the fresher supersoft, however it was a great result to finish P4. Daniel had quite a big lock up into the first turn which gave him a big flat spot during that first stint. Although he managed to undercut Kimi on the second stint, unfortunately he spent most of the afternoon tucked up under someone's rear wing and that gave his tyres quite a hard time and P5 was probably about the maximum. This race brings to a close a really exciting year. It has been a great season for the team, we've worked tremendously hard and finishing second in the Constructors' Championship with two victories has been an incredible achievement. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their effort and commitment this season; to thank Red Bull and all of our partners who support us so well, and also to thank our engine partner and the hard-working team at Viry."
Sahara Force confirmed its fourth place finish in the constructors' championship today as Nico Hulkenberg ended his final race for the team in seventh place, just ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in eighth.
Robert Fernley, Deputy Team Principal: "To end the season with two cars solidly inside the points and with fourth place in the constructors' championship feels fantastic. It has been a tremendous year for us and it's important to pay tribute to each and every member of the team for all their hard work and hours of dedication back at base and at the track. All the effort has paid off and we can now celebrate the best ever year in our history. Both drivers did a super job today, as they have done all year long. It's great that Nico could end his time with us on a high note and we thank him for everything he has done for us during his five years as a Force India driver. He's been a big part of our journey up the grid and it has been a pleasure working with him. Credit to Sergio, as well, who becomes the first Force India driver to cross the 100 points in a season milestone. He's been exceptional this year and fully deserves to finish seventh in the drivers' championship."
Renault Sport Formula One Team concluded its first FIA Formula 1 Championship season with seventeenth position for Jolyon Palmer and an early retirement from Kevin Magnussen.
Jolyon made a great start from P15 to end the first lap in eleventh position, however he struggled with tyre degradation later in the race. He also received a five-second penalty for contact made with Carlos Sainz. Kevin's final race for the team saw contact made at turn eight on the first lap. He pitted for a front-wing change, however he retired shortly afterwards due to suspension damage as a result of the first lap incident. Renault Sport Formula One Team ended the year in ninth position in the Constructors' Championship with Kevin Magnussen sixteenth and Jolyon Palmer eighteenth in the Drivers' Championship.
Kevin started the race from P18 with new set of Pirelli's soft compound tyres. He stopped at the end of the first lap to replace his front wing and receive a new set of soft tyres following contact at turn eight. He retired with five laps completed.
Jolyon started the race from P15 on a set of Pirelli's ultra soft tyres. He made a storming start to P11, pitting for sets of new soft tyres on laps 7 and 21. He made a final stop on lap 41 for a fresh set of the super soft tyres.
Fred Vasseur, Team Principal: "That was not the Grand Prix we wanted to end our season. Kevin's race was cut short as a result of front suspension damage sustained on the first lap then Jolyon's great start didn't translate to a great finish come the chequered flag. Today's result should not detract from all the progress made at Viry and Enstone over the last year as we will be in a far better position to fight for more points next season. Thank you to Kevin in his final race for us, he is a popular driver and we wish him well for the future. Congratulations to this year's champions, Nico Rosberg and Mercedes AMG. They have shown us how championships can be won with fine displays through the season. We hope to be giving them more of a challenge over the next few years."
Franz Tost (Team Principal): "First of all, I'd like to say that it was an exciting race and I congratulate Nico Rosberg for winning his first Formula 1 World Championship! Regarding our race today, it wasn't the result that we were expecting here in Abu Dhabi, because not finishing with both cars is quite disappointing. Daniil, who was really well placed and driving a strong race, suffered a gearbox problem and therefore had to stop the car. Until then, he showed a really good performance. Unfortunately, Carlos' race also ended prematurely because of Palmer crashing into him. The gearbox got damaged and he therefore couldn't continue racing. This was definitely not our weekend - we already had problems on Friday with what seems like being a rear suspension issue. We still need to investigate this, even if next year it will look completely different, we need to know why this happened. We will now work very hard over the winter in order to be prepared in the best possible way for 2017."
Despite finishing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix night race in P15 (Marcus Ericsson) and P16 (Felipe Nasr), the Sauber F1 Team reached its objective by maintaining tenth position in the Constructors' Championship. In the Drivers' Championship Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson were 17th and 22nd with the Sauber C35-Ferrari.
As the season finale marked the last race with the current generation of Formula One cars, the Sauber F1 Team will fully concentrate on next year's Sauber C36-Ferrari. As of 2017, new technical regulations will bring the pinnacle of motorsport into an exciting era.
Monisha Kaltenborn, Team Principal: "First of all, we congratulate Nico and the whole Mercedes team for the championships. We are also pleased for Force India finishing fourth in the Constructors' Championship. In our last race of the season it was all about securing tenth position in the Constructors' Championship. We adjusted our strategy to achieve that, and it worked out in the end. I really want to say ‘thank you' to the whole team, at the track as well as at the factory in Hinwil. Marcus and Felipe did a good job as well as keeping focused, especially in difficult times. What we have achieved in this tough season is credited to our team work. We have stuck together, continued to work hard and fought throughout the season. We can build on that next year and we already look forward to 2017."
Fernando Alonso finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 10th position, earning McLaren-Honda one final point in the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, and consolidating the team's sixth position in the constructors' standings.
With a fresh set of Primes fitted for the final stint, Fernando quickly began to carve into the gap ahead of him, taking between one and two seconds per lap from the cars immediately in front.
However, despite shaving 15 seconds off Felipe Massa's advantage over him, Fernando couldn't manage to get past the Brazilian, finishing 10th at the chequer.
Jenson Button's final grand prix ended after just 12 laps when the right-front suspension failed. It may have brought the curtain down a little early on an illustrious 17-season 305-race Formula 1 career, but it did little to dampen his spirits after an emotional weekend filled with friends, family and great memories.
For JB, a new chapter in his life begins on Monday morning (probably after a well-earned lie-in); for McLaren-Honda, the 2017 season kicks off in earnest tomorrow...
Eric Boullier, Racing Director: "Fernando drove faultlessly to 10th place today, earning us a single world championship point; but, without wishing to detract from yet another strong drive from him, today was all about Jenson as far as we were concerned.
"I'm sad and sorry that his race ended in suspension failure - but, having said that, the minor placing he thereby lost will mean little to him in what I gather from my British colleagues is called the grand scheme of things.
"His McLaren record speaks for itself: eight Grand Prix wins, some of them utterly superb, and seven great years in which he won the hearts of McLaren's staff and fans alike. On behalf of us all, JB, I salute you.
"Next year, of course, he'll still be around, assisting us in many ways, but racing our cars will be Fernando, arguably the greatest racing driver in the world today, and Stoffel [Vandoorne], whose potential is almost limitless. If you regard a balance of proven experience and youthful promise as the optimal blend in a Formula 1 driver line-up, and many people do, then I challenge you to name a better pairing than our 2017 duo.
"As the curtain goes down on 2016, I want to praise Honda for the impressive progress they've made during the course of the past season, and I'd like to thank our sponsor-partners also for their crucial ongoing support. Our staff deserve a big collective pat on the back too: in difficult circumstances they've played a blinder - as our mechanics tell me a job well done is best described.
"And, last but very far from least, I want to pay tribute to our fans, the best in the world. Your faith and loyalty are a constant inspiration to us, and I thank you for your unstinting devotion to the cause encompassed pithily in the well-worn hashtag #BelieveInMcLarenHonda.
"And finally, may I offer the congratulations of all of us to Nico [Rosberg], who crowned a fine season with world championship glory here in Abu Dhabi this evening. Nico has never driven for McLaren but of course we know him well, having first welcomed him to our paddock motorhome when he was a kid, introduced to us by his famous father Keke, who drove for McLaren 30 years ago. Congrats to them both."
Yusuke Hasegawa: Honda R&D Co Ltd Head of F1 Project & Executive Chief Engineer: "First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of the McLaren-Honda team members for a job well done throughout the long 2016 F1 season. I am very proud of the achievements we have made together, in what has been another challenging year.
"The Abu Dhabi GP was bittersweet in that Jenson had to retire early on, but he drove a good race and fought well for the short time he had on track, which was what he was hoping to do. Fernando drove superbly, showing his fighting spirit to push hard until the chequered flag. It was a difficult race, so I am glad we were able to finish with a championship point, so in that aspect I am happy for the team.
"From tomorrow onwards, we push our development for 2017 to full power, and hope to step up our game over the winter months.
"Last but not least, thank you Jenson for being our friend, colleague and hero driver. It will be very sad not to see you at every race next year, but my bet is that you will miss us too much, and we will see you again very soon!"
2016, done! We round out the season with another strong race from our hard-charging rookies, Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein, who bring it home in 13th & 14th positions to beat Sauber one final time this season. Sadly, it was not enough to claw back 10th in the Constructors' Championship, a position we held for 10 races, then lost in Brazil. But we're proud of everything we've achieved this year, our most competitive season yet.
Dave Ryan, Racing Director: "Well, it's hard to believe that the 2016 season is finally over but I think I speak for everyone when I say a few weeks at home without the pressure of preparing for the next race will be very welcome indeed.
"First and foremost, huge congratulations to the entire team both here and back at Banbury for the effort that has gone into this season. It hasn't been easy but when you look at just how far we've come in the space of 12 months, our improvement is incredible and something to be really proud of. Having said that, we know we still have big strides to make, but it's a challenge we are all looking forward to as we strive to move Manor up the grid in 2017.
"I would also like to express our gratitude to our technical partners, Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains and Williams Advanced Engineering, and all our Team Partners, for their fantastic support during our 2016 campaign.
"Finally, special thanks to Pascal and Esteban. Another great race today and no less than we have come to expect from the two of them."
Haas F1 Team drivers Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez finished 11th and 12th, respectively, in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Sunday at Yas Marina Circuit.
Grosjean started from 14th in the 22-driver field to finish 11th, one spot shy of a point-paying outcome. It was the team's eighth 11-place finish of the year, with Grosjean collecting three of those results while Gutierrez accounted for the other five.
Both Haas F1 Team drivers employed a two-stop strategy in the 55-lap race around the 5.554-kilometer (3.451-mile), 21-turn track. However, the two opted for different tire choices.
Grosjean began the race on the Pirelli P Zero Yellow soft tire, with the harder compound allowing him to stay out on the track longer than those who opted for the Pirelli P Zero Red supersoft tire. Grosjean rose to as high as 10th before pitting at the end of lap 20 for another set of Yellow softs. He rejoined the race in 15th and climbed to 11th before making his final pit stop at the end of lap 38 for a new set of Red supersofts. The softer compound tire gave Grosjean the grip he needed to attack in the closing laps. He maintained his 11th-place standing in the running order and set his sights on the McLaren of 10th-place Fernando Alonso. Despite being a second faster than the two-time Formula One champion with 10 laps to go, Grosjean could not close the gap and had to settle for 11th.
Gutierrez used the Red supersofts to start from 13th on the grid, and with the compound's higher rate of degradation, he pitted at the end of lap eight for a new set of Yellow softs. These tires carried Gutierrez to the end of lap 28, where he had climbed to 11th. This pit stop for another set of Yellow softs took Gutierrez to the finish, but it allowed Grosjean to leapfrog his teammate, bumping Gutierrez to 12th.
Haas F1 Team ends its debut season with a very respectable eighth-place finish in the constructor standings, outpacing the factory Renault team (ninth) and Sauber (10th) and Manor (11th). The 29 points Haas F1 Team earned in 2016 are the most of any new team in this millennium. When Jaguar debuted in 2000 and when Toyota came on the scene in 2002, each entity managed only two point-paying finishes in their entire first seasons for a combined total of six points.
Winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was Lewis Hamilton. It was the Mercedes driver's 53rd career Formula One victory, his 10th of the season and his fourth in a row. It was also his third win at Yas Marina Circuit. Hamilton's margin of victory was .439 of a second over his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, but it wasn't enough to wrestle away the championship from Rosberg.
Rosberg won his first Formula One title with a second-place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He came into the season finale with a 12-point lead over Hamilton, and his runner-up effort secured the championship by five points. Rosberg joins his father, Keke, in the realm of Formula One world champions, as Keke won the 1982 title. Keke and Nico Rosberg are only the second father-son duo to win championships, with Graham and Damon Hill the first to do so, as patriarch Graham won titles in 1962 and 1968 with son Damon scoring the 1996 championship.
The final race of 2016 also marked the final Formula One race for two of the sport's biggest starts - Felipe Massa and Jenson Button. Massa ends his 14-year Formula One career with 250 starts, which includes 11 wins, 41 podiums, 16 poles and 937 laps led. He drove his Williams to a ninth-place finish in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Button concludes his 17-year Formula One career with 305 starts, highlighted by the 2009 championship and 15 wins, 50 podiums, eight poles and 761 laps led. Button was credited with a 20th-place result at Abu Dhabi, as he was forced to the garage after 12 laps with a mechanical issue.
With the 2016 season officially complete, teams turn their full attention to 2017. New car regulations, which include an advanced aerodynamic package that will create a higher level of downforce via a longer nose, wider front wing, larger barge boards, sidepods being pushed out, a lower and wider rear wing and a diffuser that expands 50 millimeters (two inches) in height and width. Augmenting these changes are wider tires from Pirelli, by 60 millimeters (2.4 inches) in the front and 80 millimeters (3.1 inches) in the rear.
While the 2017 season-opening Australian Grand Prix won't take place until March 26, plenty of work will happen between now and then, with preseason testing Feb. 27-March 2 and March 7-10 at Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya providing the first glimpse of where teams stand prior to the 68th Formula One season.
Guenther Steiner: "I think we're pretty happy with today. We had a competitive car and we finished 11th and 12th, which mirrors the year. We finished the year on a high even if we didn't get in the points. I felt that today we had one of our best races with both drivers just out of the points. This is a nice way to finish our first season. I'll take this moment to say thank you to everybody, especially thanks to Gene for giving us this opportunity. Thanks to all the team who work so hard and thanks to both Romain and Esteban for their work all year long. Now we get ready for next year."
The final race in the era of deliberately high tyre degradation came to an end with Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and his team mate Nico Rosberg finishing second to win the drivers' world championship for the first time.
Both Mercedes drivers used an identical two-stop strategy, starting on the ultrasoft and then changing twice to the soft within a single lap of each other on both occasions.
A different strategy was adopted by Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who used all three compounds: starting on the ultrasoft, switching to the soft and then ending the race on the supersoft. Vettel was the fastest man on the track in the closing stages, moving up the leaderboard to threaten the leaders and provide a dramatic finish to the race.
The only drivers in the top 10 not to start on the ultrasoft were the two Red Bull drivers. Despite a spin at the start of the race following contact, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was able to climb to second overall before making his single stop. Verstappen was the only one of frontrunners to stop just once, maximising his first supersoft stint to gain track position and eventually finish fourth.
On Tuesday, the final development test for the completely new 2017 tyres will take place, with Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari all taking to the track with their modified 2015 mule cars together for the first time. The next wider generation of tyres is designed to provide less degradation, introducing a new philosophy for the technical revolution that will provide even more performance next year.
Paul Hembery: "The decision taken by Red Bull yesterday to start on the supersoft was pivotal to the race today, with Max Verstappen making the most of a creative one-stop strategy to challenge the two-stoppers. Sebastian Vettel also capitalised on the performance of the supersoft to move up in the closing stages. Congratulations to Nico Rosberg for winning his first world title, and we'd also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Felipe Massa and Jenson Button, who both ended their fantastic Formula 1 careers today. Now that the 2016 season is over, our focus already switches to next year - starting on Tuesday, when we undertake our final development test for the new 2017 wider tyres, using all three mule cars together for the first time."
Truthometer
Lewis Hamilton won the race using two pit stops, going from ultrasoft to soft on laps eight and 29, as we expected. Rosberg followed an identical strategy, stopping on each occasion a lap later.
