Scenarios that could determine the 2014 Formula 1 World Champion

Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton

Exciting final in prospect due to double points

The stage is set for title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to finally settle the 2014 Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship. The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will play home to the nineteen, and the terminal, race of immensely exciting 2014 season. The 5.554 kilometer long circuit will mark its sixth running of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which again will be run as a twilight race.

The 17 points lead, which Hamilton enjoys over Rosberg before the final race, would have been a comfortable margin for any championship leader. However, with the introduction of double points at this year’s final race, the title fight is still wide open. Since Hamilton is leading Rosberg in the standings, it is Rosberg who needs to do all the catching up in Abu Dhabi. On the contrary, Hamilton doesn’t even need to take the risk of out racing his Mercedes teammate. With many outcomes on the card, let us look at all the possible scenarios for Hamilton or Rosberg, to win the world title:

What Hamilton has to do to become the World Champion

With 334 points in the bag already, a race win or a second place will ensure a second title for the Brit, irrespective of what Rosberg does in the race. A third, fourth or fifth place finish will do for Hamilton, if Rosberg doesn’t win.

Hamilton finishing sixth will also give him the title, provided if Rosberg is not in the top two.

Hamilton can be seventh or eighth if, Rosberg cannot make it to the podium.

A ninth place finish will also work, if Rosberg is fifth or lower.

If Hamilton finishes in tenth position or lower, or he has a DNF, he will still be the champion, provided Rosberg cannot finish in the top five.

• What Rosberg has to do at Abu Dhabi to claim his maiden Formula 1 title

With 317 championship points after his win at Brazil, winning the Grand Prix and hoping Hamilton doesn’t finish second, will make sure Rosberg is crowned the champion.

Rosberg can finish second, but then Hamilton has to finish sixth or lower.

A third place will do for Rosberg, if Hamilton finishes seventh or lower.

A fourth for the German would mean he is the champion, but then Hamilton has to be ninth or lower.

A fifth place for himself and a tenth place, or a lower classification, for Hamilton will ensure Rosberg of the world title.

• Hamilton has the edge

• As mentioned above, Hamilton doesn’t need to set the world on fire at Yas Marina, at least against his teammate. The Brit will look for a reliable Mercedes, and with the margin the Silver Arrows have over the field, a simple drive to second place will do for him, in order to be the champion. If this happens, Hamilton won’t even mind if Rosberg, or any other driver, takes the victory. Rosberg on the other hand, will also have to depend on Hamilton’s finishing position, if he wants to become the champion.
• The German will hope for intervention from other cars in order to disrupt Hamilton’s race, and his teammate’s subsequent finishing position. However, first and foremost, Rosberg will try and win the Grand Prix to give himself the best possible chance of clinching the title. The dominance of Mercedes cars is sure to continue at Abu Dhabi also, but they have to be alert about the fact that Red Bull and Williams, can pounce on to any mistake the German team makes. That said, in the drivers’ championship battle, Hamilton certainly holds the car key, if not the driver’s seat. The 2008 World Champion will always have the upper hand going into the final race of the season. The former McLaren racer just has to finish near Rosberg, not even ahead of him, in order to take the title.
• The below table shows us why:

FINISHING POSITION OF NICO ROSBERG IN THE RACE	THEN WHERE HAMILTON HAS TO FINISH IN ORDER TO WIN THE TITLE
IF ROSBERG WINS THE RACE	HAMILTON HAS TO BE SECOND TO CLAIM THE TITLE
IF ROSBERG IS SECOND	HAMILTON TAKING FIFTH WILL BE ENOUGH
IF ROSBERG IS THIRD	HAMILTON WILL HAVE TO FINISH SIXTH
IF ROSBERG IS FOURTH	A EIGHT PLACE FINISH WILL BE ENOUGH FOR HAMILTON
IF ROSBERG IS FIFTH	HAMILTON CAN FINISH NINTH
IF ROSBERG IS SIXTH OR LOWER	HAMILTON WILL BE THE CHAMPION

The race permutation table for Hamilton with respect to Rosberg’s finishing position.

Sure, Hamilton’s impressive ten victories this season, against Rosberg’s five, makes him the obvious favorite for the title, but Rosberg has never been far behind his teammate. Rosberg’s consistency and pace has allowed him at least to take the championship fight to the last round. With the help of the controversial double points system, maybe he can deliver the goods at the business end of the season too. Whatever happens at Abu Dhabi, the 2014 season, even though completely dominated by the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, has given us plenty of reasons to smile and rejoice. Hence, May the best driver win!