Max Verstappen on pole, Hamilton second, for title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP
How fitting, in a Formula One season that has been impossible to predict, that the drama should continue unabated as it draws closer to an impossibly tense denouement. For this duel in the desert Max Verstappen drew first blood with pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, relegating his title rival Lewis Hamilton to second on the grid and with work to do if he is to take the title in Sunday’s decisive showdown.
With both drivers acknowledging they were in a contest for the ages, the setup delivered in qualifying at the Yas Marina circuit leaves the finale delicately poised. Some imponderables remain but with the two protagonists tied on points they know the blunt reality that after 21 races in a season where the lead has swung between them five times, all that matters is who takes the flag.
For Verstappen and Red Bull, claiming this vital pole was the best possible start to his attempt to seal his first championship, especially after how strong Hamilton and Mercedes had been. The serious business remains but the Dutchman was rightly pleased to have taken pole.
Passing has been notoriously difficult at Yas Marina in the past. The circuit has been altered this year, including the removal of two chicanes to be replaced with faster corners to improve overtaking, but how successful tthis has been remains to be seen.
If Verstappen can hold his lead on the short run through turn one, he will have every chance of converting it to victory. If Hamilton is to take a record eighth title, he knows he will have to pass his rival.
While relations between the pair have been strained as the tension has ratcheted up and they have had repeated track incidents, on the eve of the finale there was a sense of calm focus from them both as they enjoyed the part they are playing in what has been a truly memorable season.
“This year we have been pushing each other to the limit,” said Verstappen. “We really are trying to get everything out of our cars to the last lap, the last corner. It has been really enjoyable for most of the time. In 20 years’ time myself and other people will look back on it and remember this year.”
Hamilton was apparently unfazed by being denied pole. “It has been an incredible year,” he said. “An amazing battle. I am grateful I have had such a close battle with Max and his team. They have done an exceptional job, shown true strength and pushed us to the limit in ways that we needed. I hope we have many more seasons like this.”
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, said: “I have confidence it will be
hard but clean and this is what this epic championship deserves as a final.”
Of course this might yet be the calm before the storm. Certainly for all the conciliatory words no quarter can be expected from either driver and Verstappen has a slight edge. Tied on 369.5 points apiece, Verstappen has nine wins to Hamilton’s eight. Should both drivers fail to finish – in the event, say, of an incident between them – Verstappen will take the title based on wincountback.
Both frontrunners have expressed their desire to keep it clean but, with two major crashes already between them and repeated incidents at the last round in Saudi Arabia, the prospect of a further clash has been the talk of the paddock. However, the FIA has pointedly reminded drivers that it can impose a points deduction for untoward driving, should it feel it necessary.
Verstappen was immense when it mattered in Q3 as twilight succumbed to darkness in the desert. On their first hot laps in the final session fastest times were traded over the first sector but the Dutchman was superb through the second and third and enjoyed a minor tow from his teammate, Sergio Pérez, with Hamilton a full half a second back after a small lock-up at turn five. Verstappen’s time of 1min 22.109sec was a benchmark.
The final laps of qualifying of 2021 were charged. Hamilton went out first and, push as he did, he was down in the first and second sectors and could not make up the gap to his rival. He finished over three-tenths back while Verstappen did not improve but had already done enough. “We couldn’t answer that lap,” said Hamilton. “It was a fantastic lap from him but we are in a good position.”
Yet variables remain. Hamilton and Verstappen set their best times in Q2 on alternate tyre types with which they will start the race. Hamilton is on the mediums but after Verstappen flat-spotted his medium rubber potentially damaging a tyre, Red Bull opted to set another time on the softs. The Dutchman will have the potentially faster tyre off the grid but Hamilton will be able to go longer before he pits in what is expected to be a one-stop race.
Calling it for either driver at this stage is beyond reason, as this fascinating season looks set to deliver a fascinating finale.
The constructors’ title is strongly in Mercedes’ favour with the team leading Red Bull by 28 points and looking to secure a record eighth consecutive title.
Lando Norris was a superb third for McLaren, Red Bull’s Pérez in fourth and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in fifth. Valtteri Bottas was sixth for Mercedes, Charles Leclerc in seventh for Ferrari and Yuki Tsunoda in eighth for AlphaTauri. Esteban Ocon was in ninth for Alpine and Daniel Ricciardo in 10th for McLaren.
Fernando Alonso was in 11th for Alpine, Pierre Gasly in 12th for AlphaTauri. Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel in 13th and 15th for Aston Martin and Antonio Giovinazzi in 14th for Alfa Romeo.
Nicholas Latifi and George Russell were in 16th and 17th for Williams, with Kimi Räikkönen in 18th for Alfa Romeo. Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin placed 19th and 20th for Haas, but only Schumacher will start after his Russian teammate tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday morning.