Abu Dhabi – Lewis Hamilton: “Max deserves pole position”

Man in form at the end of the season with three victories in the last three events contested (Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), Lewis Hamilton continued his momentum to begin the last weekend of the 2021 season. Dominant in Free Practice 2 and 3 as well as Q1, the Briton was stolen from pole position by Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, taking advantage of the aspiration offered by his teammate Sergio Pérez in a second sector more conducive to Mercedes, pulled out of his hat a lap in 1'22″109 to win the first round of the final battle for the title. The seven-time world champion praised his championship rival's performance after the session. “Max had a great lap today and we couldn't beat that time, admitted the English pilot. There's a great crowd here, despite the few people I hear booing, but whatever. I couldn't answer Max's trick, it was a fantastic trick. »

ALSO READ > Verstappen defeats Hamilton in qualifying in Abu Dhabi

If he admitted that his first flying lap was not perfect, the second in the general classification admitted that he could do nothing about the Batavian's performance. “I lost a little time at the end of my last lap and in turn 5, Hamilton analyzed. My second attempt was very clean and I just couldn't go any faster! I don't know if I prepared my lap well, but, once again, Max totally deserves his pole position today. » 

Second on the grid, Sir Lewis is far from having said his last word in his quest for a historic eighth world crown. Especially since the two adversaries will set off for the first of the 58 laps scheduled for this Sunday at Yas Marina with different strategies. Max Verstappen actually got out of Q2 on soft tyres, while his pursuer will start on a set of medium tyres. “We are still on the front line and we have a choice of different tires for tomorrow. This should allow us to have a good race”, hopes the Briton. More than ever, the last round of this 2021 exercise promises to be exciting with a royal first line.