Beating Lewis Hamilton to win World championship Nico Rosberg’s crowning glory

An emotional Nico Rosberg admitted that beating his long-term rival Lewis Hamilton to the world championship made his maiden Formula One title triumph all the more satisfying.

Rosberg survived a nail-biting and dramatic conclusion in Abu Dhabi to the sport’s longest-ever season as Hamilton’s desperate ploy to back him into the clutches of the chasing pack failed.

The German, who needed to finish in the top three, survived a late onslaught from Sebastian Vettel, with Max Verstappen also breathing down his neck, to clinch the title. His second place, behind race winner Hamilton, meant Rosberg was champion.