Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton lapped in a league of his own to seize pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix,
British driver Lewis Hamilton Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hamilton's Mercedes teammate and championship favourite, Nico Rosberg, will join him on the front row.
Rosberg has a 12-point lead and can afford to let Hamilton win the day-to-night race in Abu Dhabi, knowing a podium finish at Yas Marina will secure him a first championship to match father Keke's 1982 triumph.
Hamilton, who now has 61 career pole positions and 12 for the season as well as four in a row, has to be in the top three to have a chance of becoming Britain's first four-times world champion.
He gave himself the best chance under the floodlights, setting a series of fastest sector times that left little doubt about his determination to try to beat the overwhelming odds against him.
His time of one minute 38.755 seconds was a real statement of intent, the champion a mighty 0.303 faster than Rosberg's best effort.
"It's been such a privilege driving this car," he said.
"This weekend so far I've got the car in a real sweet spot...and yeah, I'm in a perfect position for tomorrow."
It was the first time Hamilton had out-qualified his team mate in Abu Dhabi with Rosberg on pole in the last two years, but it could all come to nothing with the title outcome out of the Briton's hands.
Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"I'm not ecstatic by today. Lewis just did a great job and was a couple of tenths quicker," said Rosberg.
"It just wasn't possible for me to do that time today...for sure, I'll try to go and win.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo qualified in third place for Red Bull, with a lap more than half a second off Rosberg's pace, and will share the second row with Ferrari's 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
- Reuters
