In an intriguing qualifying session, it was Lewis Hamilton who reigned supreme and took his first pole since Germany. He led an all Mercedes top 2 although Valtteri Bottas will have to start from the back due to his penalty.

This means Max Verstappen will line up alongside the reigning champion ahead of the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, who would’ve had an interesting debrief as the backing up at the final corner resulted in Leclerc being unable to set a final flying lap.

Alex Albon will start in fifth ahead of Lando Norris, who wins the McLaren head to head. Daniel Ricciardo will start in seventh ahead of Carlos Sainz, Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Perez, who is in a favourable position being the first with a free choice of tyres.

It was a better session all round for Racing Point, as Lance Stroll will start twelfth, the pink cars sandwiching Pierre Gasly’s Toro Rosso. Whilst it was a bad session for Alfa Romeo as both failed to get past Q1.

Here is the starting grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with all penalties applied.

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.34.779
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1.35.139
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1.35.219
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) 1.35.339
5. Alexander Albon (Red Bull) 1.35.682
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1.36.436
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) 1.36.456
8. Carlos Sainz (McLaren) 1.36.459
9. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) 1.36.710
10. Sergio Perez (Racing Point) 1.37.055
11. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) 1.37.089
12. Lance Stroll (Racing Point) 1.37.103
13. Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) 1.37.141
14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1.37.254
15. Romain Grosjean (Haas) 1.38.051
16. Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) 1.38.114
17. Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo) 1.38.383
18. George Russell (Williams) 1.38.717
19. Robert Kubica (Williams) 1.39.236
20. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 1.34.973*

KEY: Green = Q3, Orange = Q2, Red = Q1
*= Back of grid penalty