The 2016 title permutations for Abu Dhabi.

For the second time in three years, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton head into the Abu Dhabi season finale locked in a tense fight for the world championship crown. Unlike 2014, it is Rosberg who is the clear favourite given his 12-point lead - but there are still several ways Hamilton could come from behind to snatch the crown from his team mate.


Rosberg will win the 2016 crown if,

• He finishes on the podium in Abu Dhabi (regardless of where Hamilton finishes)
• He finishes sixth or higher, and Hamilton doesn't win
• He finishes eighth or higher, and Hamilton is no higher than third
• Hamilton finishes fourth or lower (regardless of where Rosberg finishes)

Hamilton will win the 2016 crown if,

• He triumphs, and Rosberg is fourth or lower
• He finishes second, and Rosberg finishes outside the top six
• He finishes third, and Rosberg finishes outside the top eight

Interestingly, Rosberg is the form man at the Yas Marina Circuit, even if Hamilton has the better overall record. The Briton has taken two poles (2009 and 2012) and two wins (2011, 2014) in Abu Dhabi - but Rosberg has been on pole for the last two straight years, and triumphed in last year's race.

Indeed, since they became team mates in 2013, Hamilton is yet to get the better of Rosberg in qualifying in Abu Dhabi - while the only time he has finished ahead of him on Sunday was in 2014, when Rosberg was famously hit with technical issues.

Source: http://www.formula1.com/