Lewis Hamilton completed one half of his vow to end his championship-winning campaign in style as he put his Mercedes on pole position for the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who closed out his fifth title with two rounds to spare in Mexico last month, will be joined on the front row by Valtteri Bottas, with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen third and fourth for Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso is ending his 18-season career here in the desert on Sunday, and in his final Formula One qualifying session, the two-time world champion finished 15th.
“It was quite an emotional qualifying session, because it is the last time I will qualify in this car,” Hamilton said.
“I am the closest to this car than I have been to any others. It has not always been easy, but it has been a real privilege this year.
“To go out there and express yourself, and push the car the way you want, there is no better feeling.
“The first lap wasn’t spectacular, but that last one started off calm, and then I got more and more aggressive. The last sector was a killer and that’s where I made the difference.”
Vettel, who has been victorious at just one race since the summer break, added: “I am confident for tomorrow, so it should be good fun, challenging these guys, and I will give it everything I have.”
