Australian says both Mercedes drivers would be worthy champions
Monday 28 November 2016 11:26, UK
Daniel Ricciardo is predicting Nico Rosberg will win the F1 Drivers' Championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend at the Duel in the Desert.
Mercedes team-mates Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will once again battle for the title under the floodlights at the Duel in the Desert.
The German currently holds a 12-point advantage at the head of the standings and a third place will give him the crown no matter where Hamilton finishes.
"For me, I don't favour anyone. I got asked earlier in the year who would win it and I said Nico I think because everyone else was saying Lewis," Ricciardo said.
"But if you ask me again now, I'd still say Rosberg because he is in the better seat to do it this weekend."
Ricciardo added that no matter who wins the title, they will be a deserving champion.
"If you look at Lewis and Nico, whoever ends up champion this weekend, they will both have their merit for it," said the Australian.
"Rosberg has had a lot of poles and wins, he's been on some good streaks and converted a lot of front rows to victories, whereas Lewis has made comebacks.
"So if Lewis wins it will be like 'amazing comeback' and if Nico wins it will be 'well he was there all year'."
The Red Bull driver could yet play a vital point in the title fight if he is able to take points off Rosberg or Hamilton and he has warned them not to expect any favours.
He said: "I won't favour any driver, but if I can get myself up on the podium and get another bit of silverware I'll do that and if it changes the result in the championship so be it. We'll try and have some fun, hopefully it is not a stationary static race."
