In what was a fitting end to the 2015 Formula One racing season, Nico Rosberg ran away with an easy victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. Rosberg was the pole-sitter and once he beat teammate and fellow first row mate, Lewis Hamilton, to the first corner of the race, it was all over as Rosberg built up as much as a six-second lead as he led start-to-finish except for a brief stage when both Mercedes racers had to pit in the middle of the race and swapped the lead.
With Rosberg off racing on his own for the majority of the race, Hamilton – who had already clinched the 2015 F1 season title three races ago – was content to merely ride the race out in second place, momentarily considering going for the win by trying to extend his tire life by not pitting late, only to have his pit talk him out of the poor strategy.
That left the only race for the final podium position between the two Ferraris and here, with Sebastian Vettel having already locked up third place for the season, he ceded third place to his teammate to ensure that he had enough points to defeat his fellow Finn, Valtteri Bottas of Williams, for fourth place overall. Bottas, however, had his own troubles in the race and never contended for the placing.
The final standings show Hamilton winning the 2015 F1 season title with 381 points to 322 for Rosberg and 278 for Vettel.
Rosberg begins his runaway victory at Abu Dhabi.
2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Results – Yas Marina Circuit
1
Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2
Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
3
Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
4
Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
5
Sergio Perez – Force India
6
Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
7
Nico Hulkenberg – Force India
8
Felipe Massa – Williams
9
Romain Grosjean – Lotus
10
Daniil Kvyat – Red Bull
11
Carlos Sainz Jr. – Toro Rosso
12
Max Verstappen – Toro Rosso
13
Jenson Button – McLaren
14
Valtteri Bottas – Williams
15
Marcus Ericsson – Sauber
16
Felipe Nasr – Sauber
17
Fernando Alonso – McLaren
18
Will Stevens – Marussia
19
Roberto Merhi – Marussia
20
Pastor Maldonado – Lotus
