Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2015: As it happened

There was no real wheel-to-wheel racing at the front as Nico Rosberg took his third consecutive win quite comfortably at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. Hamilton was close in the middle part of the race, but a strategy change saw him lose out in the final stint. Kimi Raikkonen took a credible third with an impressive drive, while teammate Sebastian Vettel put in one of the drives of the evening to make up 11 places and finish fourth. Sergio Perez rounded out the top five for Force India.

There were, however, a number of battles behind the race leaders between the Williams, Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Lotus. Ricciardo took sixth place ahead of Hulkenburg, with Massa holding on to eighth place despite Grosjean's last lap effort. Jenson Button enjoyed his racing despite finishing outside the points, he got stuck in whenever an opportunity arose. Romain Grosjean surely gets mention for one of the drives of the evening to get up to ninth place from the penultimate row of the grid.

Mercedes have equalled the most races wins a season, as they completed a dominant 2015 season with a 1-2 finish. The race win will give Rosberg plenty of confidence going into the winter.

Apart from the Mercedes' domination, there has been a few other revelations during the course of the season. The re-emergence of Ferrari following a few difficult seasons. Sebastian Vettel seems to have settled down well with his new team. McLaren-Honda have a long winter ahead of them following a difficult return to the sport. And finally Max Verstappen, the teenage rookie has impressed one and all with his speed and skill in an F1 car. There will a lot expected off him next season following an explosive debut campaign.

The firecrackers go off as the Mercedes finish 1-2 in what was a dominant 2015 season.

Kimi Raikkonen comes in third, and Vettel makes up 11 places to finish fourth. Sergio Perez gets a solid fifth place for Force India.

ROSBERG WINS!!! THREE IN A ROW!!

FINAL LAP!!

LAP 54/55 - Grosjean is up to ninth place, as Hamilton backs off. He is seven seconds behind Rosberg.

It will be the first time in his career that Rosberg has won three races on the trot.

LAP 53/55 - 2 LAPS TO GO!!

LAP 53/55 - Grosjean goes past Sainz and Kvyat is now in his sights. A great final drive by the Frenchman for the Lotus F1 Team after starting on the penultimate row.

LAP 51/55 - Grosjean is also catching Kvyat and Sainz in ninth and tenth. The Frenchman is on the quicker super soft tyres

LAP 50/55 - Riccardo has not given up on catching Perez, Sainz looks good for ninth place as Kvyat struggles with power issues.

LAP 49/55 - Verstappen is handed a five second time penalty for a proper racing incident with Button. He was penalised for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

LAP 49/55 - Rosberg is now matching Hamilton's pace, as the gap remains the same.

LAP 48/55 - Seven laps to go and Hamilton is 7.7 secs behind. Raikkonen is 9.5 secs behind the Briton.

Massa goes past Kvyat for eighth place.

LAP 47/55 - Jenson Button is enjoying his race today, getting stuck in whenever an opportunity arose.

Hamilton takes 1.7 secs out of Rosberg's time. But that was aided by the German lapping Button.

LAP 46/55 - Vettel retakes fourth place after passing Perez. That was quick, but it remains to be seen if the super soft tyres can last the 15 laps without a major drop-off

LAP 45/55 - Hamilton takes 1.1 seconds off Rosberg in the previous lap. the Briton is giving it his all now.

LAP 44/55 - Vettel now just 1.8 seconds behind Perez, as Grosjean comes in for his final stop and releases Hulkenburg, Kvyat and Massa

LAP 43/55 - Hamilton needs to make up 12 seconds to Rosberg with ten lap fresher tyres. The Briton sets the fastest lap. Tough task

LAP 43/55 - Vettel is 4.2 seconds behind Perez

LAP 42/55 - Hamilton comes out in second place. He has lost a lot of time to Rosberg with his extended stint. The German is now 13 seconds ahead.

Vettel goes past Ricciardo and is now chasing Perez for fourth place.

LAP 40/55 - Vettel comes out in sixth place behind Perez and Ricciardo, as Hamilton asks if it is possible to go to the end of the race on his soft compounds. He is coming in for his final stop this lap.

LAP 40/55 - Vettel is in for his final stop this race. He will have about seven secs to make up to Perez

LAP 38/55 - Hulkenburg pressuring Grosjean for seventh, as Massa closes in on Kvyat

LAP 36/55 - Kimi has gone past Vettel, after the German was instructed to let him pass. the Finn would have liked that a few laps earlier possibly.

LAP 35/55 - Kimi still following Vettel, as Rosberg is asked to pick up his pace and close the 18 second gap to Hamilton

LAP 33/55 - Kimi had a problem with his front right - it was a horrid stop for the Finn. He comes out behind Vettel, but his teammate has to stop again.

Hamilton yet to stop. Rosberg setting some fast times now.

LAP 33/55 - Kimi coming in for his final stop this lap

LAP 32/55 - It's HAMmer time right now. The Briton puts in the best first sector time.

LAP 31/55 - A lightening stop for Rosberg - 2.6 secs - Hamilton in the lead now, these laps will be crucial if he wants the race lead.

LAP 31/55 - Vettel sets yet another fastest lap of the race. The German has to stop again as well.

Rosberg asked to box!

LAP 24/55 - Kimi looks good for fourth place in the championship in his battle with Bottas with the Williams driver out of the points.

Hamilton is now 1.3 seconds behind Rosberg. Horner confirms that Ricciardo and Kvyat are going to the end. 25 laps on the soft tyres as the Australian battles Perez, who is just ahead, and probably also going to the end of the race.

LAP 28/55 - Hamilton closing in rapidly. He is just 1.5 seconds behind now.

Vettel sets the fastest time of the race, and moves into fourth following Perez's stop.

LAP 27/55 - Ricciardo comes in for his second stop as Vettel moves up to fifth place.

Hamilton closing in on Rosberg, he is now just 2.2 seconds behind.

LAP 24/55 - Hamilton is closing in on Rosberg, under four seconds now.

LAP 23/55 - Vettel comes in for his first stop. Ricciardo and Perez and go ahead of the Ferrari driver. He is now in fifth place.

LAP 22/55 - Hamilton sets the fastest lap of the race. The gap between him and Rosberg is under five seconds now.

LAP 21/55 - Ricciardo still struggling to get past Grosjean, despite being on fresher rubber.

LAP 19/55 - Kvyat still chasing Massa for ninth place, the best battle on track at the moment.

Grosjean doing a great job in sixth place in his last race for the Lotus F1 Team. He is yet to stop as well.

LAP 16/55 - Vettel makes way for Kimi, as the Finn continues to chase Hamilton. He is just 2.2 secs behind the World Champion. Vettel is now battling Perez, Ricciardo and Hulkenburg.

LAP 15/55 - Hamilton breezes past Vettel to go back into second place. Rosberg looking comfortable at the front.

Kimi is closing in on Vettel as well, with the German yet to stop.

LAP 14/55 - Ericsson falling back now after making up places following the other drivers' stops. He like Vettel is yet to stop.

LAP 12/55 - Ricciardo is up to seventh and his engineer asks him to get 'stuck into it'. Kvyat is on Massa's tail.

Bottas handed a 5 second time penalty for an unsafe release.

LAP 11/55 - Kimi comes out ahead of Perez as Hamilton comes in for his stop. Rosberg is done with his stop. Vettel is now second.

LAP 10/55 - Bottas and Button collide in the pit lane. The Williams lollipop man a little too eager. The Finn was on his way out as Button was heading for his stop. Bottas has to come in for a new front wing.

Raikkonen coming in for his stop this lap.

LAP 8/55 - Hulkenburg comes in for his stop a lap later and comes out ahead of Massa and Ricciardo. Perez surely hoping to take Kimi when he stops.

Vettel is up to fifth place behind Bottas owing to his race start with the soft compound. He is on a different strategies to the drivers around him.

LAP 7/55 - Drivers pouring into the pits now, Perez, Ricciardo & Massa in. The Mercedes cars, Kimi, Hulkenburg, Sainz and Bottas yet to stop.

LAP 6/55 - Alonso handed a drive thru penalty for his first lap collision. Alonso's day get's worse.

LAP 6/55 - Alonso and Maldonado's collision on Lap 1 is under investigation.

Daniil Kvyat first driver to come in for his scheduled stop. Very early that!!

LAP 3/55 - Great battle between Bottas and Kvyat for ninth place. Vettel is up to 12th place.

Rosberg continues to lead Hamilton with Kimi in third followed by the two Force India's

LAP 2/55 - Maldonado is out of the race, his ninth retirement of the season after coming together with Fernando Alonso on Turn 1

LAP 1/55 - Rosberg gets away clean and maintains the lead. Hamilton had to defend his place from Perez and Kimi.

IT'S RACE TIME!! LIGHTS OUT

There's a battle on four fourth place in the championship between Kimi and Bottas. The Williams driver is one point ahead.

Vettel starts from 15th on the soft compound tyres, all the cars ahead of him are on the super soft compound.

Drivers head out for their final warm up lap of the season.

It's a warm evening at the Yas Marina circuit. Drivers ready for their warm up lap.

5 MINS TO RACE START!!

The final sunset of the 2015 F1 season at the Yas Marina circuit. Let's end with some excitement and proper on-track battles

Drivers are off to the grid for the final time in 2015.

McLaren chief Ron Dennis comfirms Fernando Alonso's participation for the 2016 F1 season after reports speculated a one-year sabbatical.

Perez already plotting a move on Kimi at the start.

Welcome to IBTimes UK's live coverage of the 2015 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Live lap-by-lap updates will begin at 1pm GMT.

Nico Rosberg is looking for his third straight win, as he looks to end a difficult season on a high. The German, however, is running a much older engine than teammate Lewis Hamilton, which could play a part during the 55 lap race.

Sebastian Vettel will be a driver to watch, as he starts from 16th, he could be involved in some overtaking moves today on a track where opportunities are at a premium.

Romain Grosjean is driving his last race for the Lotus F1 team and will be Haas Racing Team's lead driver for the 2016 season.