F1 | Abu Dhabi GP – Rosberg World Champion. Ferrari on the podium

In the night of Abu Dhabi, Nico Rosberg wins his first world title. A German driver at the wheel of a German car. It is the proper ending of a very long season characterized by 21 races. Rosberg had started in a great way, showing a downturn in July and then getting back the lead of the standings. He has fought against a three-time world champion who made things difficult for him, in this last grand prix as well. In spite of everything, he has maintained the coldness, proving to deserve the title. It has been an exciting race and ended with four cars in a space of 2”, thanks to the strategy of Hamilton who made an all-out attempt. A very technical and tactical race where drivers have given their 100%.

I didn’t appreciate the behavior of the English driver at Mercedes’, he will have to meditate and vent during the holidays. It is not fair to complain about team’s negative moments on the podium. It has been a long championship in which driver’s reliability and mistakes are part of the game. Till the end, Mercedes put both his drivers in condition to play for the title at par. He should show more sportsmanship. This is why I appreciate Nico’s style more. Even in hard times, he didn’t find any justifications. We must remember that in some occasions he has been victim of subjective (and not objective) decisions by the commissioners.

The overtaking at the detriment of Verstappen was beautiful. It has been a crucial action for defending the title. A calculated risk that was to be taken. With this success, he has equaled his father, who is always very attentive, and never intrusive. He reached the track when the titled had been already conquered. Congratulations to Rosberg’s whole family.

Ferrari ends the season in a great way with the third place of Vettel, maker of the fastest lap and of an amazing overtaking at the detriment of Max Verstappen, protagonist of a mistake at the start and of a beautiful recovery. A Red Bull that has something to complain regarding Daniel Ricciardo penalized again by the team strategy.

The curtain falls on a long season, but 2017 is coming. We will experience a demanding championship with cars certainly different and new regulations that could determine a mixing of the powers on the field or lead to a more fought championship and the hope to have more satisfactions with the Italian colors.

A significant year for ACI Team Italia is filed thanks to the second and third places in GP2 accomplished by Giovinazzi and Marciello respectively, and to Fuoco’s third place in GP3. I want to thank these boys because they made us hear the hymn of Mameli a lot of times, proving how much the work of the Federation is a successful. Italy can manifest itself at the highest levels along with its drivers. There are still some unoccupied places in F1, and we hope to have a nice surprise in the upcoming weeks.