Lewis Hamilton reluctantly congratulated Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg on his >maiden Formula One World Championship following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
>Relieved F1 World Champion Rosberg: I'm glad it's over!
Hamilton controlled the race — sometimes to the frustration of Rosberg — for much of Sunday's season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit as he took the win he needed to keep the pressure on, but the German was able to maintain second place to secure the drivers' title.
The tactics of Hamilton, who disobeyed team orders by slowing his pace to try and cause Rosberg problems with the chasing pack, led to a frosty relationship in the post-race podium room.
Rosberg and Hamilton did not appear to exchange a single word or glance as the former celebrated his triumph, and their posed photograph with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone was particularly awkward.
Once on the podium Hamilton did congratulate his title rival, though, before speaking of his frustration at missing out on a fourth world title.
"I feel great," he said. "It's been a real privilege to be a part of this team and the success we had this year, I never would have thought I would have 32 [race] wins for this team by now."
"A big congratulations to Nico of course, a great drive to secure his first World Championship."
Hamilton went on to rue his mechanical problems earlier in the season for his narrow defeat in the standings, the Briton finishing five points adrift in second place.
He added: "I did everything I could these last four races. That's all I can really ask of myself. I'll leave here and have a lot of fun tonight, celebrating with the team and everyone. You can't win them all. Obviously I had a lot of problems this year so that's inevitably why I'm in this position but I'm still grateful for all the success and ups and downs as a team."
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