Stranger things have happened, but only a catastrophic setback in the shape of a non-finish or disastrous driver error can prevent Lewis Hamilton wearing the crown as Formula One king.

The controversial double-points reward at the Abu Dhabi showdown will not be a threat to Hamilton if he can maintain the brilliance that has rocketed him to the heights of the championship, with his second world title all but clinched.

There are, however, spoilers lurking behind the pit walls and Hamilton, ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg by 17 points and needing to only be the runner-up even if his hottest rival wins, will need to have a reliably faultless car to showcase his talent.

The 29-year-old’s undoubted superiority has given him 10 victories this campaign, five in succession, to top the record of career wins set by British hero Nigel Mansell, and making himself the fifth most successful winner of all time.

But for a rare blunder that locked him in second place last Sunday in Brazil, just when he seemed certain to catch and pass leader Rosberg, the Yas Marina finale would have been merely an exhibition of his finesse as a worthy champion.

Formula One being what it is, the finest example of the unexpected, no victory is absolutely certain until the driver crosses under the chequered flag ahead of his chasers.

I have done my homework and assembled the numbers both drivers need to attain to be victorious in the final analysis.

And the logistics work this way: here is what Hamilton, twice the pole-sitter and with a win and a second place in Abu Dhabi in the past, needs to do to repeat his 2008 championship glory.

1. Victory or second place.

2. To finish fifth or better and for Rosberg not to win.

3. A sixth or better and for Rosberg to finish outside the top two.

4. Eighth or better with his rival not in the top three.

5. Ninth or better and for Rosberg to end up fifth or lower.

6. If Rosberg flops to being outside the front five, Hamilton will be champion even if he fails to score.

Rosberg has yet to triumph in Abu Dhabi but has been third, fourth and sixth. Here is what needs to happen for him to rob Hamilton in a last ditch drama.

1. He must win with Hamilton third or lower.

2. If he’s second, Hamilton would have to be sixth or lower down the rankings.

3. Should Hamilton end up seventh or below, he will have to be third.

4. If he’s fourth, his teammate will have to be ninth or lower.

5. If Hamilton drops to 10th or lower, Rosberg needs only to come home fifth to be champion.

If hot favourite Hamilton fails and falls at Formula One’s final hurdle, it will be one of the greatest upsets in the history of this most demanding and often cruellest of sports.

But one thing is certain... nothing is certain in F1.

— The writer is a freelance journalist and motorsport expert