Valtteri Bottas took the pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand prix, the final round of the 2017 Formula 1 world championship. His Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton remained second, while Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari gave the third time.
Bottas and Hamilton battled throughout qualifying. The Finn was faster in Q1 – by mere 0.035sec. Then Hamilton had an advantage with a 0.080sec better lap. In the Valtteri prevailed.
“Things were getting better and better for me during the practice session and also during the qualifying. I just managed to find time here and there and it was all under control and just felt really good in the car”, Bottas explained.
“I was so gutted in Brazil, in the last race, being on pole and missing the win. So I have a clear target tomorrow and I’m sure you guys will support me so thank you.”
Hamilton added it was an incredible qualifying.
“Congratulations to Valtteri, he did an exceptional job”, said the four-time world champion.
Daniel Ricciardo managed to qualify fourth in front of Kimi Raikkonen and his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen. Nico Hulkenberg took seventh position, followed by the Force India drivers Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. Felipe Massa rounded off the top 10. The Brazilian driver managed to get into the top 10 in his last Formula 1 qualifying.
Valtteri Bottas took the pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand prix, the final round of the 2017 Formula 1 world championship
INITIAL CLASSIFICATION (END OF QUALIFYING): @ValtteriBottas claims his fourth career pole #AbuDhabiGP ?? #Quali #F1 pic.twitter.com/GvPS566WFY
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 25, 2017