YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi -- Nico Rosberg clinched his first world championship with a gutsy drive to second behind Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The German, who needed a podium finish to secure the title, weathered a tense opening two stints of the race and made a decisive overtake on Max Verstappen at mid-distance to consolidate second position. In the closing stages title rival Hamilton attempted to back his teammate into the chasing Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen, despite several instructions to speed up from the Mercedes pit wall. But it was to no avail as Rosberg held on to finish just 0.4s behind Hamilton and secure the championship.

The title win means Rosberg follows in the footsteps of his father, Keke, who won in 1982, and makes him the second second-generation world champion after Damon Hill. Yas Marina's dramatic finish capped a season which has ebbed and flowed between the Mercedes drivers and means Hamilton has won the final four races of the year without claiming the title.

Hamilton's tactic of backing Rosberg toward the chasing pack was hardly surprising considering he came into the weekend as clear underdog. At the chequered flag the top four were covered by just 1.6s, one of the closest finishes in recent memory and a fitting climax to a close season between Mercedes' drivers, who have shared 19 of the 21 victories this season.

The title fight

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Hamilton led away cleanly from pole at the start, getting into Turn 1 ahead of Rosberg, who stayed ahead of the Red Bulls and Ferraris. Behind, Verstappen tapped the sidepod of Nico Hulkenberg and spun around, though he avoided the wall and rejoined in last. Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo dropped behind Kimi Raikkonen at the start as the Finn took advantage of superior grip from his ultra-soft tyres.

In the opening stint, Hamilton did what many expected ahead of the weekend, backing Rosberg into the pack and not opening up a gap. He pitted very early, coming in on Lap 7 for soft tyres, though his stop was delayed slightly for Raikkonen -- who also took softs from third position. All eyes were then on Rosberg's in-lap, and the German also found himself held in the box as compatriot Sebastian Vettel came in behind him. Despite the delay Rosberg emerged marginally ahead of Raikkonen and managed to hold second position.

Rosberg then had to deal with the attentions of Verstappen, who was yet to pit and now acting as rear-gunner for Red Bull as they hoped to bring Ricciardo back into proceedings. Ricciardo pitted earlier than expected, however, coming in on Lap 9, and emerging in a tight train of cars behind his teammate. Rosberg, being warned not to take any risks against Verstappen, held station in third. It soon became apparent Red Bull and Verstappen were thinking of a one-stop strategy.

The key moment for Rosberg came on Lap 19. Shortly after being given a message that he had to pass Verstappen in the next few laps, the two men nearly touched as Rosberg went wheel-to-wheel with the teenager through the second chicane, with Rosberg getting a better exit out of Turn 9. Rosberg then got ahead through the kink at Turn 10 to make the move stick. Two consecutive fastest laps afterward would prove crucial at Rosberg's next stop, when he emerged ahead of the Red Bull driver, whose one-stop strategy had moved him into podium contention.