Verstappen takes pole for Abu Dhabi GP
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen produced a stunning last lap and beat both Mercedes cars to take pole position on Saturday for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He was .025 seconds ahead of Valtteri Bottas and .086 clear of world champion Lewis Hamilton for his first pole of the season and third of his career.
“Mega, mega lap!” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner yelled over the radio when Verstappen crossed the line 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.
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.”
Racing Point driver Sergio Perez starts what could be his last F1 race from a lowly 15th.
LARGENT WINS FORT LAUDERDALE STAKES
Largent, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Paco Lopez, drove to the lead midway down the stretch to win the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale (G2), a prep for the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), by 1 3⁄
4 lengths Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. ... In the $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday (G3), Hugh Lynch’s Taxscored a dominating 4 1⁄2- length victory while stamping himself as a prime candidate for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park next month.
ETC.
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