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Hamilton Takes Abu Dhabi Race: Clinches Second Title

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates- After only needing a second place finish to win his second world championship since 2008, Lewis Hamilton had a perfect race and won his 11th grand prix of the season, clinching his title over teammate Nico Rosberg by 97 points. Williams drivers Felipe Massa and Valterri Bottas finished second and third, respectively.

“I cannot explain how much this means and it feels like the first time and I feel so blessed.” The newly crowned world champion stated. As for the start, the car was like a rocket and it was one for the best starts that I had. I knew straight away that I would have the lead. I knew that I really, really had to race. The car was fantastic.”

Hamilton began the race in second on the grid, but when the lights went out, the Briton flew out in front over Rosberg and never really was challenged as he maintained a comfortable 2.4 second lead in the first ten laps. The race remained uneventful until back luck played a part with Rosberg, as the German encountered a KERS system failure, which dropped him out of the points position and ended his chance to defeat Hamilton, finishing the race in 14th place.

However, one driver who did not give up so easily was Massa, who was looking for his first win since 2008. The Brazilian edged close to Hamilton as the race got near to the conclusion. But Massa fell short and finished 2.5 seconds in back of Hamilton.

“It was an incredible race for us. I did not expect to have that pace.” Said Massa afterwards. “I was able to keep the tires long during the race, and I was talking to the team and they said continue. I tried to get up to the front, but Lewis was a little too fast. I was looking so much for a victory, but the door closed”.

Starting the race from the pits due to an illegal wing adjustment, Daniel Ricciardo finished a deserving fourth, while Jenson Button, who does not have a contract for next season, took fifth. Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez finished sixth and seventh, respectively, while Sebastian Vettel, driving for the last time with Red Bull, took eighth. Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the top ten finishers.

Hamilton, still very surprised with his second championship, stated that he need some time to have this all digest, but kept his sportsmanship intact about his teammate.

“Nico (Rosberg) put on a fight and all throughout the year, he was phenomenal. But I am going to take one day at a time, this is the greatest day of my life.”

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