Pirelli, Hembery: “Our 2016 season starts in 48 hours”

Pirelli – Nico Rosberg took his third consecutive win of the season, after dominating the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole. The German adopted a two-stop strategy, like the vast majority of riders, using a supersoft-soft-soft strategy.

By stopping before his teammate (also on an identical strategy, but with a very long second stint) Rosberg managed to manage the strategy to his advantage, remaining in the lead of the race.

However, both Mercedes were pressured by Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen took the third step of the podium, while an alternative strategy allowed Sebastian Vettel to finish in fourth place after starting 15th.

Vettel completed two initial stints on the softs, gaining positions on the track as the other drivers on the supersofts stopped, before completing his final stint on the supersofts (16 laps), in cooler track temperatures and in a much lighter car. Lotus driver Romain Grosjean also finished in the points after starting on soft tyres.

The top 10 drivers all used a two-stop strategy. Wear and degradation remained within limits, to the point that even Lewis Hamilton - busy chasing his teammate for first place - asked the team if it was necessary to make a second stop. The Englishman then stopped after a second stint of 30 laps on the softs.

The highest driver in the standings to stop three times was Max Verstappen, who however remained out of the points due to an initial flat tire and a penalty.
Today's double allows Mercedes to break another record: the German team is the one to have scored the most points in a Formula One season.

Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport Director: “As usual, Abu Dhabi gave us a very tactical race, during which Mercedes, and Nico Rosberg, in particular, adopted a perfect strategy. Congratulations to the entire team for one of the most successful seasons in the history of Formula One. Tire wear and degradation remained within limits, despite having brought the two softest compounds in the range. Our 2016 season starts in 48 hours: on Tuesday we will be engaged in 12 hours of testing during which we will try the new ultrasoft tire and the new constructions for next season."