Red Bull boss Christian Horner has claimed that Nico Rosberg will likely be on edge this weekend as the Formula 1 season reaches its conclusion in Abu Dhabi.

The German driver is the strong favourite to win his first world title on Sunday, as he leads closest challenger - and Mercedes teammate - Lewis Hamilton by 12 points.

Hamilton has done well to keep the pressure on Rosberg heading into the final stretch, coming out on top in the United States, Mexico and Brazil to ensure that the F1 title remains up for grabs in the Middle East.

Horner has warned the current pacesetter not to get tangled in a battle with the likes of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, however, or else Hamilton could pounce and pull off a big upset.

"Nico can't afford to get tangled up with another battle," BBC Sport quotes him as saying. "It is Nico's to lose and we could be Lewis's best friend if we get both of our cars between him and Nico. Nico is driving with the championship in mind. He is a bright guy.

"He is playing the percentages and banking the points. He is going to be watching his mirrors more than most going into Turn One, and we have seen with our guys, they're not in that position so they will simply be going for it. You can imagine him being a bit more tentative than he has been at other races."

For Hamilton to oust Rosberg at the top of the drivers' standings he must - among other permutations - finish first in Abu Dhabi and hope that his teammate ends fourth or lower.