Hamilton pays lip service

LEWIS HAMILTON revealed his love affair with his car as he kissed goodbye to it in Abu Dhabi.

The Brit, who sealed his fifth world crown in Mexico last month, with two races to spare, grabbed the 83rd pole position of his career – and 11th this season – for today’s final race of the campaign.

He will be joined on the front row by Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Sebastian Vettel in third for Ferrari.

Under the lights of the Yas Marina circuit, Hamilton was 0.162sec clear of Bottas and a third of a second faster than Vettel.

“It was quite an emotional qualifying session, because it is the last time I will qualify in this car,” said Hamilton, who kissed and massaged his machine in gratitude.

“I am closest to this car than I have been to any other. It has not always been easy, but it has been a real privilege this year.

“To go out there and express yourself, and push the car the way you want, there is no better feeling.

“I’m so grateful for the mechanics who put this together for me. To just go all out and put on a performance like that is a special feeling.

“I’m just happy that this car will be in the history museum at Mercedes in Germany, so I can go visit whenever I can.”

McLaren’s two-time world champion Fernando Alonso halts his 18-season career in the desert today, and in his final qualifying session finished 15th.

Alonso said: “I need a break and to find something else, but I’m open after that – maybe another F1 season or go somewhere else.”