ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his maiden pole position of the campaign yesterday for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Dutch driver edged Valterri Bottas in second and the Finn’s Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is racing for the first time since winning the championship after contracting coronavirus, in third for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

It was Verstappen’s first pole since the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix and the third of his career after clocking his best lap in one minute and 35.246 seconds to beat Bottas by 0.025 seconds.

The top three were separated by only 0.086sec, but it was a disappointment for Mercedes who missed out on pole for only the second time this year. Lance Stroll of the Mercedes-powered Racing Point team claimed the other.

Lando Norris, equalling his previous best, was fourth for McLaren ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull and Carlos Sainz in the second McLaren.

Having said on Thursday he expected to claim ‘his seat’ for third place again, Verstappen was delighted.

“I am very happy with that. Luckily, for me, everything came together in that final lap. It seems like we have a decent top speed this weekend so, hopefully, this will work out for tomorrow,” he said.

“It’s a long season for everyone with a lot of races in a row so this was good for the whole team.”

His Red Bull team chief Christian Horner whooped with delight and described Verstappen’s lap as awesome.

“Very well deserved for Max,” said Horner. “He’s threaded it together and nailed an amazing lap at the end. He’s just made it happen himself.

“It’s been a long season on Saturday afternoons, but to finish the season on pole, we’ve just got to convert it now.”

Hamilton said he gave it his best, following his illness.

“Honestly, I am really grateful to be back with the team — it’s been a difficult weekend getting back in the rhythm,” the Briton said.

“I gave it my all. Congratulations to Max. It’s a great way for him to seal a year of great performances. We will give them a good run for their money.”

Kevin Magnussen was the first man out, followed by his Haas teammate Pietro Fittipaldi, as the sun began to fall at the Yas Marina Circuit and, most probably, on the Dane’s F1 career in the American team’s 100th Grand Prix.

Hamilton had his early best lap deleted for exceeding track limits with a bumpy ride over the kerbs. “Check the floor. I might have some damage,” he told Mercedes.

After another run, the champion was seventh and in the comfort zone to proceed to Q2 as Verstappen, fastest in a Red Bull 1-2 in FP3, rose to second, three-tenths off Bottas.

As Q3 began, under full floodlights around the track, Stroll went first, but Norris set the early pace before being deposed by Sainz.

The Mercedes men, back to full power, rejoined the fray with Bottas shading Hamilton for provisional pole, Verstappen splitting them for Red Bull and Albon taking fourth.

Only 0.156 seconds covered the top after their first runs, during which Hamilton made a small error. It set up a classic finale in which Hamilton went top, only to be beaten by Bottas and then a breathless Verstappen with only seconds remaining.