Nico Rosberg made it six straight pole positions as he won Saturday’s qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton’s wait for his 50th pole will now extend into next year. He has not qualified for the front of the grid since the Italian Grand Prix at Monza nearly three months ago.
Hamilton had provisional pole until a late run by Rosberg enabled him to edge ahead by three 10ths of a second. It was another blow for the British driver, who has had difficulty dismissing the idea that he has allowed his game to fall away since winning his third world title in Austin last month.
Hamilton finished top in Q1 and Q2 but was second best when it mattered. “I’ve been struggling with the car a little bit,” he said. “Nico was very quick today.”
Rosberg said: “I’m quick at the moment and I’m pleased with that.”
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) qualified third, followed by Sergio Pérez (Force India), Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Valtteri Bottas (Williams).
The two big-name casualties in Q1 were Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Vettel’s failure was, of course, the bigger shock. But in the context of suggestions that Alonso could take a sabbatical next year if his McLaren car is not good enough, everything he does is hugely significant.
In Q2 Jenson Button dropped out, while Romain Grosjean also failed to make the top-10 shootout on his last weekend with the Lotus team.
