How can Lewis Hamilton beat Nico Rosberg to the Formula 1 championship title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2016?

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Lewis Hamilton secured a fourth consecutive pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to set up a dramatic final race of the Formula 1 season on Sunday.

The reigning champion is still an outside bet to win the title, however, with Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg only requiring to finish in the top three to win his first Fomula 1 championship.

Rosberg qualified second fastest, 0.303 seconds behind Hamilton who won the 61st pole of his career — a record bettered only by Ayrton Senna on 65 and Michael Schumacher on 68.

"Wow, 61 poles," said Hamilton. "I am going to try to catch Ayrton. It was strange coming here this weekend as it was the last practices qualifying with such a great car.

"It's been such a privilege driving this car. I wouldn't have had the 61 poles I have now if it wasn't for everyone at the factory, so thanks to them."

Read more: Lewis Hamilton on hanging out with Tom Cruise, getting advice from Kanye West and staying up late – then killing it on the track

Hamilton can still become just the fifth racer to win a fourth championship title, despite being 12 points behind Rosberg.

How can Hamilton win the 2016 Championship?
  • Even if the British driver wins at the Yas Marina Circuit, Rosberg will still take home the title should he secure a podium place, something the German has managed in all but four of his 20 races so far this season.
  • If Hamilton finishes second, Rosberg only needs to finish sixth or better.
  • If Hamilton finishes second and Rosberg finishes seventh, the Brit would win due to having recorded more third places throughout the season.
  • If Hamilton finishes third, Rosberg would only need to finish eighth place or better.
  • If Hamilton finishes fourth, Rosberg would only need to finish in 10th or better.
  • If Hamilton finishes fifth or worse, Rosberg would win regardless of where he finishes (the two racers would be tied on first places and third places but Rosberg has four runners-up positions to Hamilton's three).

Read more: Anthony Hamilton, father of three-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, tells the story behind his new project – Kicktrix

Session Q3 standings:

Position Driver Team Fastest lap
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:38.755
2 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:39.058
3 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull 1:39.589
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:39.604
5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:39.661
6 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1:39.818
7 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:40.501
8 Sergio Perez Force India 1:40.519
9 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:41.106
10 Felipe Massa Williams 1:41.213