The 2016 Formula One season was an extensive and exhilarating journey, starting all the way back in March and came to a close Thanksgiving weekend. There was a total of 21 races that took a total of 11 teams and 24 drivers all over the world, starting in Australia and ending in Abu Dhabi.

Nico Rosberg, one of two drivers for the Mercedes AMG, narrowly won the world championship. The winning seat was won by Rosberg by a mere five points from his teammate and rival, Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton placed second in the championship. Hamilton scored a total of 380 points; which is another 124 points above the third place position. Red Bull driver, Daniel Ricciardo placed third with a consistent and impressive performance.

Rosberg has also come out to say that he is retiring from his Formula One career which leaves his seat open to new competitors. Some have speculated that Fernando Alonso, an experienced driver from McLaren-Honda, is the probable choice to fill Rosberg’s seat. Mercedes’ choice to replace Rosberg will be interesting regardless of whether they choose an experienced driver or an amateur driver

There were other notable performances by other drivers. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing displayed phenomenal driving at the Brazil Grand Prix. Verstappen, the youngest driver at 19 years old, placed third after a series of incredible overtakes in stormy conditions. Verstappen found grip seemingly out of nowhere in unbelievably wet conditions. He moved from 14th place to finish in third.

In fact, a poll on Reddit’s Formula One subreddit voted Verstappen the driver of the season, while they voted Mercedes AMG the team of the season.

This season was also marked by the retirement of Brazil’s only Formula One driver, Felipe Massa. His last race was at the Brazil Grand Prix, where he, unfortunately, did not finish the race due to a crash. Although Massa did not perform incredibly well, he was a well-respected driver among all teams.

The season brought us a tight competition fraught with exciting twists and turns. The 2016 season has set up the next season to be an interesting one with the addition of new tracks and drivers.