Lewis pole sets up a bitter last-day battle

Lewis Hamilton cranked up the mind games on rival Nico Rosberg after taking pole for today’s F1 title decider in Abu Dhabi.

But Mercedes team-mate Rosberg is second on the grid and favourite to be crowned the champ.

Rosberg knows as long as he makes the podium at Yas Marina he’ll secure his first Formula One championship to match dad Keke’s 1982 triumph.

Three-time champion Hamilton is hoping his German foe has a howler in the desert so he can claim a famous win.

The Englishman said: “I’ve got the car in a real sweet spot ... and yeah I’m in a perfect position.

“It’s been such a privilege driving this car. I feel amazing, energetic. I feel confident – confident of what I’ve been doing in the car.

“I have everything to gain, I’m super excited about the race.”

Hammy’s time of one minute 38.755 seconds was a real statement of intent – a mighty 0.303secs faster than Rosberg’s best effort.

It was the first time Hamilton had out qualified his team-mate in Abu Dhabi. Rosberg moaned: “I’m not ecstatic after this. Lewis just did a great job and was a couple of tenths quicker.

“It just wasn’t possible for me to do that time. But for sure I’ll try to go and win.

“It was feeling good out there, I had a good balance and everything so I was quite pleased.

“As qualifying went on it got better. I got a good lap in at the end of Q3 but not good enough.”

Australian Daniel Ricciardo qualified in third place for Red Bull, more than hal f a second off Rosberg’s pace, and will share the second row with Ferrari’s 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.

Ricciardo said: “I think the race going to be fun. Obviously, there’s the title on the line with these guys here so it’s going to be interesting.

“Hopefully, it’s fun throughout the pack and we can do something to make it even more exciting than it already is.”

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel starts in fifth place with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sixth.

Britain’s Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, will line up for his farewell race down in 12th position for McLaren.

He said: “It’s not a bad place to be in my last race.”