Lewis Hamilton claimed the pole for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after topping Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the closing seconds of Saturday’s qualifying at the newly-built Yas Marina Circuit.
Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, lapped the 3.451-mile circuit in one minute, 40.948 seconds for his fourth pole in the last seven grand prix. The McLaren driver also recorded his 17th career Formula One pole. MiamiHerald.com
“The car is the best it has been all year. It was a smooth lap, and it just kept getting better and better,” Hamilton told reporters.
“The place is just stunning. They all said it would be a great event, but it’s mind-blowing. It’s a great place to come to, a great country. The weather has been great and the people are so respectful and so welcoming. I hope we can put on a great show tomorrow.” CNN International
Vettel said: “I think both Lewis and I were surprised at the gap between us. But Lewis has been strong all weekend and in general McLaren have been strong all weekend.
“We have a button on our steering wheel, called a KERS button, but unfortunately it is not working.”
Formula 1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Race Line-Up
Webber said: “This is a grid that reflects the way things have gone in the second half of the season.”
Brazilian veteran Rubens Barrichello, in probably his last race for the Brawn GP team with which he won the constructors championship in Brazil two weeks ago, was fourth fastest ahead of newly-acclaimed champion Briton Jenson Button, his Brawn team-mate.
Button had hoped to be at the front of the grid with a chance of winning. AFP
Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and BMW Sauber teammates Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld will fill the next three positions. The Associated Press
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