F1: Hamilton On Pole Under Abu Dhabi Flood Lights

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Brandon Dawe
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Lewis Hamilton Claimed A Stunning Pole Ahead Of The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

No.88 For Hamilton

The Brit took his first pole position since the German Grand Prix in July. Bringing his overall tally to 88.

Hamilton: “She’s been a special car. Today is the last Saturday I’ll get to drive her, so I’m really happy to get back on pole position.

“It’s been a long slog trying to get back on pole. We’ve been working really hard and the other drivers have also been doing really well on Saturdays.”

“We never stop working, we never give up and we’re always looking for those extra milliseconds.”

Misfortune For Bottas

Behind was his Mercedes’ teammate Valtteri Bottas who will start the race last after grid penalties are applied.

Bottas: “As a team we’ve been really strong, we have good pace. In any case I do start last, but I’ll give it all I have”

This comes as a result of Bottas being fitted with a new engine for this race after his failure in Brazil.

Subsequently, promoting Max Verstappen to second on tomorrow’s grid alongside Hamilton.

Verstappen, who won last time out in Brazil will be hoping to end the season on a high. Image sourced from @RedBullRacing via Twitter.

Verstappen: “Third was probably the best we could have hoped for – Mercedes are usually quite dominant here.”

“We are in a decent position for tomorrow and there should be opportunities there for us.”

Ferrari Lose Their Edge

Ferrari struggled throughout qualifying, with mistakes from both driver & pit-wall plaguing their session.

A scenario similar to that of Monza earlier this year denied Leclerc a second chance at pole. Image sourced from @LeclercNews via Twitter.

Charles Leclerc, who set only a single time in Q3, only managed to put his prancing horse into fourth place for tomorrow’s.

However, he will start third once Bottas has his penalty applied.

Leclerc: “Ahead of the race, we will mainly have to work on making improvements in the last sector. That’s where we lacked the most in terms of our performance.”

However, the Monégasque, who was held up while preparing for his final run didn’t make it to the timing line before the flag dropped.

Ultimately denying him a second bite of the cherry.

Contrary to his teammate, Vettel was able to set two times in Q3, however the four-time world chamlion was unable to improve.

The German ended the session in fifth position.

Red Bull’s Alexander Albon, who was cruelly denied a maiden podium in Brazil, was sixth fastest in qualifying.

However, the Rookie was close to a second down Hamilton’s pole position time.

Both Vettel & Albon will start in fourth & fifth respectively after Bottas’ PU change.

Norris Takes The Glory

Lando Norris edges out Carlos Sainz in their 2019 qualifying battle.

The McLaren duo, who came into the weekend 10-10 in qualifying, battled it out throughout the sessions.

Sainz who claimed his maiden podium in Brazil came into to this session tied 10-10 in qualifying against Norris. Image sourced from @McLarenF1 via Twitter.

With F1 rookie Norris claiming top honours against Sainz, who he bested him for the majority of the weekend.

Norris, who led the midfield team once more this season crossed the line to take seventh.

The Brit will line up in sixth place for tomorrow’s race.

It wasn’t just Norris who was on form as Daniel Ricciardo in the Renault also edged out Sainz. They both start seventh and eight respectively.

Nico’s Goodbye

Nico Hulkenberg qualified in tenth place for what will be his last race with the Renault squad.

Russell’s Clean Sweep

Williams driver George Russell completed a clean sweep in qualifying. The British rookie out qualifying teammate Robert Kubica 21-0 under the flood lights of the Yas Marina Circuit.

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