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Hamilton qualifies on pole as Mercedes maintain dominance in Abu Dhabi!

24 November 2018 at 14:00
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lewis Hamilton has qualified on pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tomorrow. Ahead of the final race of the season, the 2018 World Champion maintains his dominance in the back end of the season. His rival, Sebastian Vettel couldn't produce the final lap needed and will line up 3rd on the grid. Valtteri Bottas finishes second to complete Mercedes 1-2

Hamilton made a mistake in his opening lap of Q3, but he managed to recover well enough in sector 3 to finish on top of the pile going into the pit-stops. He produced another solid lap, improving dramatically and moving into the 1:34's. 

The Brit had to hold his breath, as Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel were flying in their laps. Ricciardo could only do enough to manage fifth place, while Vettel who was last across the line finished 3rd. 

Q1

For the majority of the session, both Ferraris were ahead of the Mercedes until the final stages of the session. Sebastian Vettel's time early in the session was quick enough for the German to hold on.

Two stunning laps from Esteban Ocon and Charles Leclerc lifted them up to 4th and 7th respectively. Leclerc set purple sector times in both sector 1 and sector 2.

Fernando Alonso was in the drop zone right until the very last lap, but he managed to produce what was needed to escape! Both the Toro Rosso boys were disappointed as mistakes in the final stages of the lap meant they both missed out.

Vandoorne finished 18th meaning he failed to beat Alonso in qualifying throughout the whole season. The two Williams will start at the back of the grid.

Q2

Qualifying in Formula 1 has finished for Fernando Alonso. He was unable to post a good enough lap in the final stages of the session and will start his final F1 race from 15th on the grid.

In contrast, Max Verstappen managed to perform when it matters. For the majority of the session, he was in the danger zone sitting in 10th. On the last lap, the Dutchman posted a 1:36.144 to go second!

Hamilton set a flyer in his first lap of the session to storm to the top of the timesheets. His 1:35.693 was an official track record.

Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc continued his storming season finale at Sauber. He set purple sector times again and managed to finish fifth, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen who he'll be replacing next season.

Carlos Sainz, Marcus Ericsson, Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez also missed out on the final Q3 session. Magnussen sat in the pits for most of the session with water pressure troubles.