Lewis Hamilton hails ‘special’ Abu Dhabi qualifying as he faces Max Verstappen battle

Lewis Hamilton secured pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after setting the fastest lap in Q3 this afternoon. However, he will not be in for an easy race as Red Bull rival Max Verstappen will also line-up on the front row.

Verstappen set the third quickest time in qualifying, behind also Valtteri Bottas, but the Mercedes man will start from the back of the grid because he required a new engine.

It means Hamilton and Verstappen’s long-running battle will continue into the final race of the campaign.

All eyes will be fixed on the two when the lights go out and they head into the first corner, especially given their incident on the opening lap in Mexico.

But Hamilton was just focussing on finishing a title-winning season with victory on a track where he usually struggles.

“It was such a long slog trying to get this pole position in and we just kept out heads down and the guys have done a great job,” Hamilton said.

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“As a team it has been a really strong day, we’ve had good pace, it didn’t feel as good today as yesterday but I think Lewis made some good improvements,” the Finn said.

“In any case I’m going to start last and we will find the fighting spirit tomorrow.

“I believe, anything is possible, we have a very good car. Sunday is normally stronger for us and we’ll give it all we have.”

Verstappen is third in the Drivers’ Championship and us looking to finish the season ahead of both Ferrari stars.

“This is the best we can do,” says Verstappen. “We all know that Mercedes is quite dominant here.”

Sebastian Vettel was only able to secure fifth place and his qualifying was summed up by a random spin just before he was about to start a flying lap.

“This is probably a bad track for us,” the German explained. “I think [Alex] Albon had a McLaren in front of him, so I don’t think it was anyone’s fault [that Leclerc could not start his second flying lap].

“It was just a pity. My tyres were cold and I lost it in the first corner. Let’s try and see for what happens tomorrow.”

source: express.co.uk