F1 now guaranteed 'Abu Double' title decider

  • Published on 03 Nov 2014 16:00
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Lewis Hamilton on Sunday continued to charge towards his second world title, but his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg is guaranteed to still be in the title fight for the finale that could be referred to as 'Abu Double'. Just before to the US grand prix, Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda said: "If he (Rosberg) does not beat him (Hamilton) today, it will be difficult for him (Rosberg). So he is very motivated," Welt newspaper quoted Lauda as adding.

But despite German Rosberg starting from pole in Austin, Hamilton surprised him with an audacious overtaking move and went on to secure his fifth straight victory. Afterwards, Lauda told Bild newspaper: "Lewis has shown again that, at the moment, he has Nico under control."

Hamilton's win, and also Rosberg's gap to third place in the drivers' championship, means that - finally - Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo is mathematically out of the running for the 2014 title. "For us as a team," said Lauda, "the drivers' championship is ours."

Only the identity of the silver-clad champion is still unknown, and it definitely will not now be decided until the final race in Abu Dhabi next month. That is because - like it or not - the race in Abu Dhabi, already dubbed 'Abu Double' by some sections of the media, will count for twice as many points as usual.

It means Rosberg could fail to finish in Brazil next Sunday, handing Hamilton a points tally of up to 49 points that, normally, would easily guarantee him the championship with a race to spare. "For me, that's great to hear of course," said Rosberg, "so I'm sure it will be an exciting end to the season for the fans."

The big issue, of course, is that the scenario of Hamilton having won six races in a row, and eleven of the 19 in total, could still see Rosberg crowned champion. Asked if he fears that outcome, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said in Austin: "No fear, but the double points has the potential to overshadow a season." (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,049
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 172
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (34)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar