ROAD TO THE TITLE
Mexican Grand Prix , 30 October
Hamilton is in a class of his own as he leads throughout . Rosberg struggles for pace but survives contact with Verstappen at the first corner , and pressure from the Dutchman later in the race , to take second . Verstappen is third on the road , but loses it due to a five-second time penalty for gaining an advantage while running wide at Turn 1 . Vettel inherits the place , but subsequently is given a penalty himself for moving under braking defending from Ricciardo , giving the Australian third in the end . Rosberg 349 , Hamilton 330
Brazilian Grand Prix , 13 November
Heavy rain makes conditions tough but Hamilton does not put a wheel wrong as he controls the race to win for the ninth time in 2016 . Rosberg is not match for him , but finishes a distant second to keep the destiny of the title in his own hands . Verstappen puts in a sensational drive to recover from 14th to third in the closing laps . Rosberg 367 , Hamilton 355
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix , 27 November
Tense final with Hamilton and Rosberg making a good start pursued by the the Red Bull s and Ferrari duo . Hamilton controlled the pace with Rosberg chasing just as required to wrap up the title . At the end Hamilton played his final card by backing Rosberg into Vettel and Verstappen , it was close but not close enough . Rosberg was the new F1 World Champion . Rosberg 385 , Hamilton 380