NOVEMBER 21, 2016

Rosberg undecided over Abu Dhabi strategy

Nico Rosberg is still devising a plan to tackle this weekend's championship finale in Abu Dhabi.

Nico Rosberg is still devising a plan to tackle this weekend's championship finale in Abu Dhabi.

Although the German insists he has been tackling recent races to win, Mercedes bosses admit that Rosberg could afford to be more conservative to protect his significant points lead over Lewis Hamilton.

Now, he just needs to finish third in Abu Dhabi, but Kolner Express newspaper quotes Rosberg as saying: "It will be a difficult race weekend as always.

"It's always a challenge -- nothing in formula one is easy."

However, what is new for Abu Dhabi is that Rosberg can actually wrap up his first championship with a straightforward third place.

So he admitted: "I don't know how I'll tackle the last race. I will tell you on Thursday, when I have had some time to think about it."

Mercedes says it doesn't mind what happens in Abu Dhabi, because either way, the German marque is guaranteed both titles.

Engineering chief Aldo Costa told Corriere della Sera newspaper: "We must be super careful to bring two identical and, if possible, perfect machines to Abu Dhabi.

"But I have to say that if Nico wins, it would be really well deserved.

"He is an impressive workaholic who wants to learn every minute and is serious and dedicated.

"Racing alongside Hamilton is not easy," the Italian added, "but he (Rosberg) is always there, just behind or just ahead. So he well deserves a world championship."

(GMM)