'Hamilton wants frustrated Verstappen but fights relaxed Max'

Sky Sports analysts are divided over whether Lewis Hamilton's performance in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was up to scracth or not. Jenson Button believes the seven-time world champion did not perform at the top of his game, but Nico Rosberg disagrees. Meanwhile Max Verstappen was heavily praised.

In the post-race review on Sky Sports , Button analyses that Hamilton didn't deliver his best qualifying. The 2009 world champion saw that the Briton was not quite at one with his W12. Button doesn't want to say Hamilton underperformed, he just thinks there was a bit more to it.

Rosberg, however, thinks Button is too strict with Hamilton."That's nonsense! In my opinion Lewis did very well today." The former Mercedes driver looked at the onboard of Hamilton's lap and in it he didn't really see any moments or mistakes. According to Rosberg, there was simply not much more he could do. He also points to Valtteri Bottas. The Finn was seven tenths slower and although a part of that can be attributed to an engine change, the difference is still very big.

Relaxed Verstappen

Button believes that Verstappen is very confident after Saturday's qualifying."This gives Max confidence. Lewis wants a Max who is loud and gets frustrated with everyone conspiring against him. But now he is up against a Max who is relaxed because he has put the car on pole." Damon Hill finally added: "What Max has achieved is incredible."