Mercedes have made light of Lewis Hamilton being booed by the crowds in Abu Dhabi following Saturday's qualifying session.
The seven-time world champion has had to endure jeers at races this season, with the majority of F1 fans appearing to side with Max Verstappen's bid to win a maiden title.
In what has been billed as one of the greatest campaign finales in the sport's history, the pair will go into the last Grand Prix of the season level on points after an epic battle that has ebbed and flowed throughout 2021.
However, it's the Red Bull man who will hold the advantage, having produced a stunning qualifying lap at the start of Q3 to take pole position in front of his British rival.
Furthermore, should neither driver finish the race, it will be Verstappen crowned champion by dint of having won more races during the season, fuelling the notion that the Dutchman will be prepared to collide with Hamilton on the track if he's forced to defend his lead.
The 24-year-old's feats in qualifying were greeted by huge roars from the packed stands at the Yas Marina, whilst Hamilton was booed as he tried to conduct his post-session interview.
His team however, attempted to jovially brush off the incident, tweeting "We think they were saying Boo-is. Boo-is," alongside a winking emoji.
Hamilton fans however, were left than impressed, as @PITSTOPSTRAT replied with: "Booing for any driver seems so weird, especially when they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s a close title fight and emotions are high, but it’s been annoying all season to see it happen."
Many suggested the resentment would only serve to harden the resolve of the British icon, with @RishcaAbrahams saying "Have they not learned by now that this only makes him hungrier for the win?" while @Ismaski Lewis agreed, posting "Has said it multiple times, the booing only fuels him. So carry on."
Indeed, last month at Interlagos, Hamilton was bizarrely booed after qualifying as he spoke of his admiration for Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna, but went on to produce one of the greatest drives of his career as he came from 10th on the grid to take the chequered flag.
He's since won at Qatar and Saudi Arabia to set-up an epic showdown this weekend, and the race will be made yet more intriguing given both teams are adopting different tyre strategies.
Hamilton will start on mediums, with Verstappen, who described being on pole as an "amazing feeling," on softs.
