Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live: Latest from qualifying as Lewis Hamilton looks for fourth consecutive pole
Follow lap-by-lap updates from the Las Marina Circuit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lewis Hamilton is looking to make it four pole positions in a row as he continues his late push for the Drivers’ Championship at the final race weekend of the season at Abu Dhabi.
The Briton has been slowly cutting away at Nico Rosberg’s lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and will need a pole if he is to have any chance of overtaking his Mercedes teammate on the final race of the season.
- Rosberg only needs to finish on the podium on Sunday to win the title
- Hamilton is 12 points adrift of Mercedes teammate and rival Rosberg
- It will be Jenson Button’s final qualifying session as he retires from the sport
Follow the live action below…
Please allow a moment for the blog to load…
Last five race winners:
Brazil – Lewis Hamilton
Mexico – Lewis Hamilton
United States – Lewis Hamilton
Japan – Nico Rosberg
Malaysia – Daniel Ricciardo
Drivers’ Championship current standing:
1. Nico Rosberg – 367 points
2. Lewis Hamilton – 355 points
3. Daniel Ricciardo – 246 points
And Button records the fastest lap so far with a 1.41.81. Although Hamilton has just come onto the track.
Hamilton records the quickest lap of the weekend so far with a 1.39.49, with Rosberg 1.02 behind him.
Vettel tells his radio that he made two mistakes on his opening lap and that looks to have cost him... but he manages to save it somehow and slots into second, 0.87 seconds behind Hamilton.
Verstappen has gone faster than Rosberg too, who drops down the fourth and, like Hamilton, has retreated to the pits.
Raikkonen has gone second here with both Toro Rossos appearing to struggle in Q1.
Less than two minutes of the first round of qualifying remaining with all but the top 9 out on the track looking to secure their places in Q2.
The chequered flag is up and Ericsson is out, as it Magnussen and both Toro Rossos.
With the session over, Hamilton tops Q1, with Rosberg down in fifth. If it remains like that we would have one very interesting race tomorrow...
Kvyat, Magunssen, Nasr, Ocon, Sainz and Ericsson are the six drivers who don't make it through to Q2 and the top 16 prepare to go again. That's both Toro Rossos out and it looks like they've been punished for all their problems this week, especially with punctures.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments