- Abu Dhabi GP - Qualifying
Rosberg: Hamilton could crack under pressure
Nico Rosberg thinks he may need to force Lewis Hamilton into a mistake by applying the pressure further after taking pole position for their title showdown in Abu Dhabi.
Championship permutations
- Hamilton needs to finish:
First or second
Fifth or better if Rosberg fails to win
Sixth if Rosberg finishes third or lower
Eighth if Rosberg does not reach the podium
Ninth if Rosberg is not in the top four
Tenth if Rosberg cannot manage better than sixth
Rosberg needs to finish:
First if Hamilton is not second
Second if Hamilton is not in the top five
Fourth if Hamilton is no higher than ninth
Fifth if Hamilton is no higher than tenth
Rosberg cannot win if he finishes sixth or lower
Rosberg gave his championship chances a huge boost after a comfortable margin of four tenths gave him pole over Mercedes team-mate Hamilton. Williams was competitive but ultimately unable to aid his cause by stealing a slot on the front row, with Rosberg's best hope that he wins and Hamilton finishes third.
Rosberg thinks his best chance might come from how Hamilton copes with the situation of only needing to finish second to be champion.
"Pressure is one of the hopes that I have," Rosberg said. "If Lewis feels the pressure and makes some mistakes as a result, a bit like today, though I haven't seen it, and like Brazil. Those are opportunities I'm pushing for; I'm going to push flat out to keep the level extremely high. That's all I can do really, go for the win and try to keep the pressure on.
"My mindset is I need to get the job done and continue on the sort of form I had in Brazil. I'm sure it's going to be a great battle between the two of us, but of course I hope for more than that - not just the win but some sort of help from Lewis."
Rosberg joked that he is doing everything in his power to improve the performance of Williams. "I offered Valtteri [Bottas] a wellness night at the spa, all inclusive, hoping he can be extra special and do the impossible tomorrow!"
The threat of Williams behind Hamilton creating a fascinating prospect on the run down to the first corner, Rosberg thinks anything is possible in the opening moments of Sunday's race.
"[The first corner] is going to be interesting, as always. I'm on the clean side I think - maybe none of them are really clean - but I have the advantage from pole. Valtteri said he got his perfect lap together [for third] so there wasn't anything else in that. It would have been great if there could have been a Williams between us. That can always happen tomorrow. Starting first is a great place to be and it should be a good start."
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