FEATURE
“Lewis was trying to back me into everyone
else. He did it really, really well and I was stuck.
Vettel coming up behind with all the grip was
horrendous.”
The anguish turned to rampant joy and
celebration as he crossed the finish line less
than half a second behind Hamilton, with the red
Ferrari filling his mirrors, to hang on to second
place and do exactly what was required to be the
sport’s new World Champion.
Keke Rosberg, his father and 1982 Formula
1 World Champion, was not present at the track
but was in Abu Dhabi watching on TV and will for
sure be celebrating with his son on the night.
Rosberg said, “I haven’t seen my dad yet, I
hope he is OK. Unreal. I am very, very proud. I
have done the same feat as my dad achieved.
He will be here in half an hour and I am so
excited to see him.”
“I also want to say congrats to Lewis, you did
a great season, a great competitor always and
it’s always tough to beat you. Mercedes, put the
music on – I’m coming down in a second,” added
the 2016 F1 World Champion.
His wife Vivian endured the stress from the
Mercedes pit garage and could not watch the
final lap, before bursting into celebration as her
husband did the business.
She told reporters, “It’s just unbelievable –
he’s dreamt of this since he was a little boy. He’s
worked so hard and he deserves this. Around
15 of his friends are here and he doesn’t know –
we’re going to have a big, surprise party.”
“Unbelievable, unbelievable. A moment like
this is filled with emotions in general. I didn’t
enjoy those last few laps!” added the wife of F1’s
33rd World Champion.