ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Nico Rosberg has pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Now he just needs someone to get in the way of title rival Lewis Hamilton.
The Formula One World Championship will go to one of the two Mercedes rivals tomorrow, and Rosberg put himself in a competitive position by edging a nervy-looking Hamilton in today’s qualifying to secure a third straight pole and fourth in the past five races.
Hamilton, however, still holds the advantage.
He has a 17-point lead and only needs to finish second to guarantee a second F1 title. But with double points on offer – 50 for the winner – Rosberg can clinch his first title if he wins and Hamilton crosses the line in third place under floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit.
Hamilton was quicker than Rosberg in the first two qualifying sessions but almost went off track as his brakes locked heading into the final corner on Q3.
Rosberg set a leading time of 1 minute, 40.48 seconds, with Hamilton clocking 1:40.866 and Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas third, ahead of his Williams teammate Felipe Massa.
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany has pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (AP)
