Rosberg says Hamilton is 'on fire' – has to be the favourite

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Nico Rosberg says his former nemesis Lewis Hamilton is currently "on fire" and has to be considered the favourite to win the 2021 F1 title this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton has won less race win this season than fellow title contender Max Verstappen, and thus sits second in the Drivers' standings despite both drivers being tied for points.

Rosberg, who beat Hamilton to the world championship in Abu Dhabi in 2016, says the Briton and Mercedes' recent run of three consecutive wins justifies giving his former arch-rival slightly better odds than Verstappen.

"They did have glimpses of really strong weekends," Rosberg told Sky F1. "But now they've had this run, three races in a row, so dominant.

"It started with Brazil, where he was in a league of his own. We know it has to do also with the fresh engine that he got at the time. They have an incredibly strong package.

"We saw it yesterday. Max is going to have to pull out something extremely special to be ahead in qualifying.

"Lewis is on fire. He has such great form. He was on massive form again yesterday, so you kind of feel that he has to be a little bit the favourite at the moment."

While it's hardly the first time the championship has gone down to the wire, this weekend's epilogue is only the second time in F1 history that two drivers head into the final round level on points.

Read also - Horner: Mercedes 'media machine' has put huge pressure on Max

In 1974, McLaren's Emerson Fittipaldi defeated Ferrari's Clay Regazzoni in a straight fight at Watkins Glen to seize his second and final crown in F1.

"This is a historic moment for our sport, what's gonna happen here today and tomorrow," added Rosberg.

"Of course, there are comparisons, because also I was in such a title battle in 2016. It's just the intensity, the nerves.

"Even these two drivers... someone like Max, from the outside sometimes you think this guy doesn't even get nervous, but that's not true. Inside we're still all humans.

"Max is human, Lewis [as well], and both of them will be on the edge of their seats this weekend."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.