2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Reigns Supreme as Lewis Hamilton Ensures Intense Front Row Lockout in Qualifying
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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The final qualifying at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of the 2021 Formula 1 entailed for an exciting and intense session, with the World Championship being decided this weekend. The rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton meant that the qualifying would be a crucial part in deterring the pace for tomorrow’s race.
Q3 got off to a quick start, as Verstappen went out to set a fast time, but Hamilton answered quickly, going four tenths faster. The session got red flagged as unnecessary debris filled the track, and Hamilton maintained a narrow lead over Verstappen. The Ferraris were out first after the session restarted, and Leclerc improved his time going 6th fastest.
The end of Q3 saw Nikita Mazepin, Mick Schumacher, Nicholas Latifi, Kimi Raikkonen and George Russell out. Hamilton went fastest ahead of Valtteri Bottas, with Verstappen and Perez going third and fourth fastest respectively.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Q2 Different Strategies With Tyres Raises Questions for Tomorrow’s Race
Hamilton quickly went out to set the fastest lap of Q2 but Verstappen reiterated, going only 0.004 seconds slower than the Brit. Sainz, who was on softs, went fastest in his opening lap as Ferrari set a fast pace for Q2, with Leclerc going fourth fastest. There was a Yellow flag in sector three, which cleared up quickly and the drivers were off again.
The second half of Q2 saw Verstappen go fastest on soft tyres, just ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez. Hamilton went third fastest on Medium tyres, ahead of the Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc who rounded off the top 5. The end of Q2 saw Pierre Gasly, Sebastian Vettel, Antonio Giovinazzi, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso bid their grid positions good bye.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Q3: Verstappen Reigns Supreme as Lewis Hamilton Secures Second Place
Q3 got off with Verstappen setting a quick pace for the session. Hamilton could not manage to go much faster than Max, going five tenths slower than his rival. In a surprise Perez went third fastest, while Bottas went fourth and Tsunoda last his lap time for exceeding track limits.
With only 2 minutes to go, the ending of Q3 saw all drivers go out for one last flying lap. Verstappen maintained his pole position, meaning he would start in first place, while Hamilton would start second. In a surprise, Norris would start in third after a fantastic lap. Perez went fourth fastest, while Sainz went fifth and Bottas could only manage sixth. Leclerc, Tsunoda, Ocon and Ricciardo rounded off the top 10, as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix now entails for an exciting end to the season.
Also read: Abu Dhabi GP: Are Red Bull planning a late protest against Mercedes?
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Saivee Phatak
(1164 Articles Published)