It's upon us and I can't remember the last time I was this excited about the last race of the season. Possibly 2008 or maybe whatever year it was that Vettel span on the first lap in Brazil and then came back.

In any case I hope it's a good race and that it's decided by the two silver cars racing each other and not by a reliability issue.

My prediction (hope);

Quali.

Rosberg
Hamilton
Massa

Result

Hamilton
Rosberg
Ricciardo

My prediction (hope);

Quali.

Rosberg
Hamilton
Bottas


Result

Rosberg
Bottas
Button

I think Hamilton would be best suited to follow Rosberg around the track and finish second rather than get into potential dodgy situations fighting for the lead

Very tricky to call. Every fibre of Hamilton's being will want to win, despite second being enough, which is very different from Rosberg, who could still lose even if he DOES win. Rosberg will try to de exactly as he did in Brazil - close out everything and just focus on being fastest every lap.

I think Hamilton would be aa worthy champion, as he has, after all, won the most races, but that don't mean jack, as they say in some places. It can be equally argued that both drivers have had the same number of DNF's and Rosberg's consistency has rightfully earned him a crack at the title as well.

It will be a bitter pill for Hamilton to swallow if he loses out to Rosberg, yet I am pretty sure that the latter would be the more gracious in defeat, so there will be positives on both sides.

Both drivers have impressed me this year, but I think I actually *like* Rosberg more.

However, I still want Hamilton to win, though I can't give a logical reason why.

Hamilton has it all to lose! So that makes it very difficult to call
Rosberg could be pushing harder than he would normally like to and it would only take a silly error for Hamilton to throw it all away

Whatever happens it will be a very interesting race! I'm just gutted I'm on call so am going to have to make do with the radio! Damn

What I'd *really* like to see (purely from an excitement point of view) is both the Mercs come together at the first corner, both have to pit and then fight through the pack whilst racing each other.

Pretty unlikely though. I think they'll be avoiding each other like the plague.

Really? I've seen some less than gracious behaviour from Rosberg when Hamilton has beaten him.

Hamilton 3 DNFs, Rosberg 2 DNFs. One of Hamilton's caused by Rosberg.

Yes - I think Rosberg's sportsmanship has left a little to be desired: not only was there his puncturing of Hamilton's tyre but there was also the less-than-clear Monaco quali incident. Given the number of wins and the overtakes, I think Hamilton deserves it more.

Must be subjective then, on the behaviour side! I'm acutely aware that the British media always paint the non-Brit in a very negative way.

I meant DNFs due to reliability issues.

I meant his body language and the way he pretty well blanks Hamilton when they're waiting to go onto the podium.

If Rosberg hadn't hit him, in theory Hammy could well have gone on to win the race, in which case he'd all but have the championship in the bag. And of course Rosberg saying he was making a statement didn't sit well.

I'll be interested to see his reception if he's on the top step and Hammy isn't second!

I think the blanking is 100% mutual; I agree that there is no warmth or quarter given, but some of the things Hamilton has said could either be interpreted as "candid" or "rude", whereas Rosberg seems a bit more "diplomatic" or "sly", depending on your viewpoint!

I'm hoping that Hamilton can take the championship as I think he has driven better than Rosberg this year.
I also find Rosberg a little 'cocky' at times which irritates me.

It would be good to see Button on the podium too as I believe Mclaren are testing some new parts for next years car this weekend?

Funny, isn't it? Objectively, I would be happy for either driver to take the title. Subjectively, I want Hamilton to win, but - and this is significant - having read the utter bollox that Hamilton has written in his BBC "column" this year, I actually like Rosberg more as a person!

Edited to add: after the race, there will be a couple of days of testing which will be a VERY busy time for McLaren, as I believe they are going to test the 2015 Honda powertrain. Could be interesting!

The cars were blasting up and down the Skydive Dubai runway yesterday evening.
I sat in the living room reading the news when I heard the unmistakeable sound of F1 engines getting thrashed. They would do high speed dashes up the runway, u-turn at the end, then return back and do 30 seconds of donuts.

YouTube Video

Interesting! The unmistakeable howl of last year or the unmistakeable grumble of this?!

Probably last years Jim, this years is a hydrogen powered, single cylinder potato car isn't it?

I've taken out Insurance so I'm not disappointed with the result on Sunday. I went to the bookies and put £30 on Rosberg (at 100/30) to win the Drivers Title. So if Hamilton has a failure, incident, doesn't get enough points etc, etc. I wont be too disappointed.

If Hammy wins the Championship - I'll be just as happy

Seems worth a punt.

A bit blinkered there RK!

Go back and watch the pre podium room in Brazil. Hamilton spent nearly the whole time with his back to Nico preening himself.

Didn't see the Brazil GP. But given Rosberg's previous antics why should he make any effort? I'd have put him on his back after Monaco, and again after the shunt. But then that's why I'm not a sportsman.

Not a Rosberg fan then

Actually I quite like him, I just think he has not reacted too well to the times he's been out driven. If things do go tits up for Hammy, I'll happily(ish) settle for Nico as DC. As I indicated, I wouldn't be any more gracious than either of them!

Not a Hamilton fan then?

Read this yesterday, bit of a read, but a nice blog on Hamilton

willthef1journo.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/the-contenders-lewis-hamilton/

Nope. Never have been.

It's cos he's Black, innit

Thanks for that, Beggers - good piece! A reminder that the public face is not always what it seems. But I still wish he would get someone else to ghost write his BBC column!

TBH, I've never read his columns on the BBC, but I'm sure he does a better job than Andrew Benson

You haven't missed much. And you're right about Andrew Benson. Mind you, I used to hate Mark Hughes' writing more.

Hamilton fastest in FP1, FP2 underway.
Mercedes over 1.7 seconds ahead of the field.

Poor start for Button with a number of gremlins limiting his running. Very disappointing end to his F1 career (probably).

He managed 8 laps in FP1 before a rear suspension issue.

Now he has an hydraulic problem which may mean no running in FP2. the mechanics have now fixed.

My F1 daughter pointed me towards this blog

http://willthef1journo.wordpress.com

We both think the guy is a crappy commentator but he writes intelligently and, I think, gives so background to the discussion above about Hamilton and Rosberg's personalities which I think is really interesting.