Nico Rosberg became Formula 1’s 33rd World Champion, doing enough by finishing second at the decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale.
He weathered a massive challenge to his quest during that final race at Yas Marina Circuit, emerging from a last gasp attack by title rival and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to claim the coveted crown.
Here are what people have said about his accomplishment:
Lewis Hamilton: “We said we’d be champions back then, now we both are!, Congratulations Nico, you did everything a champion needed to do. Well deserved.”
Fernando Alonso: “I’m very happy for Nico [Rosberg]. He’s had a fantastic season and he deserved to be champion. He always believed in his possibilities and he managed his advantage perfectly. Both he and Lewis did a great job but it was time for Nico to win this year, as Lewis has three titles already!”
Sebastian Vettel: “Today is Nico’s day, well done to him. I think you don’t win the Championship by luck, and it is a sign of respect to give him this. He is a deserving champion.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “[Rosberg] scored more points. They had the same car, Lewis and him, and he came out on top, so fair play, he was better this year. It’s as simple as that.”
Eric Boullier, McLaren-Honda: “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.”
Franz Tost, Toro Rosso: “I’d like to say that it was an exciting race and I congratulate Nico Rosberg for winning his first Formula 1 World Championship!”
Fred Vasseur, Renault: “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.”
Monisha Kaltenborn, Sauber: “First of all, we congratulate Nico and the whole Mercedes team for the championships.”
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.”
Claire Williams:”I think it was pretty clear. You know when there are certain drivers that come to you of that kind of material, and [Nico] was. He’s done a great job, he’s done everything he’s needed to do. For him he probably feels like it’s a long time in the making but he is a truly well deserving champion in this sport and I am really pleased for him.”
Please feel free to add your opinion in the comments section, will use them for our GPI emagazine tribute to the new F1 world champion.