Formula One's showdown under lights

All roads have led to the manmade colossus of the Yas Marina Circuit, for 2016 title deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

12 points separate perennial rivals Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in the standings, with the German standing on the precipice of claiming his maiden crown.

It hasn’t been a classic championship battle, as far as wheel-to-wheel racing is concerned between the two combatants, but it is one that has proved the importance of consistency.

Ostensibly documented are Hamilton’s numerous reliability problems, which has plagued at least half of his campaign. As a result, many pertain the belief that this is why Rosberg stands in the commanding position he does.

Nevertheless, both Mercedes AMG drivers have won nine grand prix apiece this season. Of which for the reigning world champion, was achieved at the previous race in Brazil – as part of a three race winning streak.

Hamilton’s form bodes well going into the Abu Dhabi finale, but merely winning the race won’t be enough for the Briton to wrap his hands around a fourth championship.

Rosberg can finish as low as third, if his teammate were to triumph and still clinch the title. If Hamilton were to be runner up, the German be no lower than sixth. And if by some chance Hamilton fails to finish higher than fifth – Rosberg will be declared world champion.

There’s no doubt that it would be appropriate to claim the championship with a victory. Certainly it would ease the criticism that 31-year-old Rosberg has received throughout the season.

However, championships are won through consistency. Something that MotoGP title holder Marc Márquez can attest to, following his third title success this season.

Newly crowned World Endurance Champions in Marc Lieb, Neel Jani and Romain Dumas had failed to finish on the podium since their emphatic Le Mans win, but their success in the early stages of the year plus consistency with points finishes have taken their #2 Porsche to the number one spot.

There’s no doubt that Hamilton is the all-round better driver than Rosberg. But if there’s one feat that the German has proved this year to those who acknowledge it, is that he’s got the sheer determination and will power to bounce back from the depths of adversity.

Having closely lost out in 2014 due to a heartbreaking reliability issue at this very same race, Rosberg vowed to return stronger the following season – only to be roundly trounced by an imperious Hamilton, who wrapped up the title with three races in hand.

Surprising it is to see Rosberg in the position he stands now. Any driver to succumb to those sort of defeats in the past, would have automatically been relegated to the ‘number two driver’ status.

Apart from the two driver’s own abilities, there’ll be many other factors which may have an impact on how this duel will conclude.

As the season winds down, the power-units reach the end of their lives too. With the failure of 2014 in mind, as with the numerous issues Hamilton has suffered this year – Mercedes AMG will be highly wary of reliability in their PU106C.

Team boss Toto Wolff was famously caught out at the last round in Brazil, having contacted the father of Max Verstappen in Jos, to request that the young Dutchman stay clear of the Silver Arrows.

Whatever the true meaning of that phone call was, one thing it indicates is that Wolff, along with his fellow executives at Brackley are concerned that their fellow competitors may impact the final result.

Both drivers have their individual cases as to why they should be declared world champion of 2016.

For Hamilton it would by far be his toughest title. Having persevered through the misfortunes of his campaign, winning this one would stand out ahead of his prior three.

For Rosberg, it would be the reward for being a faithful son of Mercedes AMG, since their return to the sport as a works team in 2010. The will power he’s shown in bouncing back from previous disappointments often is overlooked and this title may perhaps commemorate the driver that Nico has matured into.

Regardless of who wins, the hope is that both drivers deliver performances worthy of a finale.