Rosberg: I controlled the pace throughout the race

2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg says he was in control all race long at Yas Marina Circuit, with the German defeating Lewis Hamilton for the third time in a row.

Starting from his sixth consecutive pole position, Rosberg enjoyed a great launch and immediately pulled away to open a six-second gap at the front.

A better middle stint from Hamilton allowed him to cut that deficit to just over one second before the Briton tried a different strategy by staying out 10 laps longer than his Mercedes team-mate. Hamilton’s bet did not pay off and Rosberg reclaimed a comfortable lead in the closing stages when the triple world champion had to pit.

From there, the championship runner-up fended off Hamilton’s late charge to secure his sixth win of the season.

“I’m excited with the way it went,” Rosberg said. “I controlled the pace through the race and managed my tyres to use them optimally and push all the way to the end.

“I had quite good pace there with tyres that had done more laps than Lewis at that time. I’m pleased with that.”

“Since Austin I've come back a lot stronger. I'm excited about how the end of the season went.”

Indeed, the German has been on a roll over the past three race weekends, each time dominating the proceedings from pole position. After losing out twice to Hamilton in the title fight, Rosberg hopes he can extend his current momentum into 2016.

“Next year can come any moment, it could start tomorrow, no problem, I don’t need any holidays,” he joked during the podium interviews.

Speaking later in the post-race FIA press conference, he added more seriously: “2016 is so far away. I am just enjoying the moment, enjoying the wins and I will party tonight.

“I’m enjoying the form and the progress also a lot. It was too late for the championship but still great. I can’t tell about next year but I’ll be ready.”

REPORT: Rosberg takes third win in a row to end season

AS IT HAPPENED: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix