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Verstappen takes stunning pole position for Abu Dhabi GP
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Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing (R) celebrates with his team ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 12, 2020. /CFP

Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing (R) celebrates with his team ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi in Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 12, 2020. /CFP

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen produced a stunning last lap and beat both Mercedes cars to take pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Saturday.

He was 0.025 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas and 0.086 clear of world champion Lewis Hamilton for his first pole of the season and third of his career. 

"Mega, mega lap!" Red Bull's team principal Christian Horner yelled over the radio when Verstappen crossed the line under floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit. 

"It's a long season for everyone and this was a great final qualifying for the whole team," Verstappen said. "We are all very happy and it's great to finally get there after being close many times in 2020."

Bottas led Verstappen and Hamilton after their first attempts in Q3, the final section of qualifying, and Hamilton then appeared on course for a record-extending 99th career pole as he led the split times on their second and final attempts. 

But Verstappen showed why he is touted as a future world champion, while Bottas found some extra speed to score a rare victory over his illustrious teammate. 

"Very happy with that. It was a tricky qualifying at the beginning to get laps in. In the last sector there are so many corners you can make a mistake," Verstappen said. "Luckily everything came together in that final lap." 

Hamilton, who has an F1 record 95 wins, was quick to praise Verstappen, who will aim for his second win of the season on Sunday and 10th overall. 

"I gave it my all, congrats to Max. It is a great way for him to seal a year of great performance. We will give them a good run for their money tomorrow," Hamilton said. "It is always nice to start first but this makes it even more exiting. I am definitely excited to see how I can turn it around." 

Hamilton has won 11 races this year but missed last Sunday's Sakhir GP in Bahrain as he recovered from the coronavirus. This denied the seven-time F1 champion the opportunity to equal Vettel's single-season record of 13 wins, set with Red Bull in 2013. 

Speaking after qualifying, Hamilton said he is still feeling side effects, including lower energy levels than before, and has lost weight.

Source(s): AP

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