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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after qualifying in second position Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after qualifying in second position Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
Coming to Abu Dhabi after claiming three consecutive race victories, Lewis Hamilton was indeed the favorite to clinch the pole position, and he did dominate through Q1 and Q2 by leading the timesheets. However, Max Verstappen produced an incredible comeback when needed to beat the Briton to pole.
What’s more, with the Dutchman starting Sunday’s race on a set of soft tires, the odds are lying fairly against Hamilton, at least during the initial period of the race.
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Speaking after the session, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff, opined that the 7-time world champion will be furious going into the final race of the season. Consequently, the Austrian reckoned that this anger would also be motivating Hamilton to hunt Verstappen down.
What did Toto Wolff say?
During the post-qualifying press conference in the paddock, Wolff acknowledged that Mercedes are on the back foot, citing Red Bull’s strong qualifying show at Yas Marina; Verstappen will start from P1 while his teammate, Sergio Perez will start from P4.
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton bumps fists with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after qualifying Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
“I think he’s gonna be angry and that’s good and motivated for tomorrow to just hunt him down,” Wolff told Hamilton’s former rival, Nico Rosberg.
“We are on the back foot and sometimes, you need to see the positives, and sometimes, that’s not there at the starting point.”
It’s Lewis Hamilton in the car: Wolff
Wolff admitted that Mercedes need to be wary of the drivers starting the race on soft tires, including Perez, Norris, and Sainz. Hence, by the looks of it, Hamilton’s biggest priority is not to lose his P2 at any cost during the start of the race.
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 11, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton gets out of his car after qualifying in second position Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
“If he can keep it in P2, obviously, that’s an advantage. If you lose more positions, then it becomes more and more difficult. But, this is a long race and like Nico [Rosberg] said, it’s Lewis Hamilton in the car,” Wolff concluded.
Overall, the title showdown is near folks! The stage is set for a sensational race around the glamourous Yas Marina on Sunday. Who is ultimately going to finish at the top and secure the world championship title?
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