Formula 1 2016: Qualifying results for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes has done everything he can to put himself in position to win this year’s Formula 1 Drivers Championship going into the final race of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We go into the final race in the Formula 1 calendar with no clear winner in the Drivers Championship.

Hamilton trails teammate Nico Rosberg by enough points that all Rosberg has to do is finish third or better to win the championship, regardless of where Hamilton finishes. On Saturday, the two Mercedes drivers will start one and two on the grid, with Hamilton taking his 12th pole of the season. He has out-qualified his teammate with 12 poles to Rosberg’s eight, which is even more impressive given he missed three qualifying sessions with car issues.

Rosberg was 0.303 seconds slower than his teammate in qualifying, while Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull rounded out the top three, 0.834 seconds behind Hamilton. At this point, Hamilton needs the Red Bull cars to take it to Rosberg — something they’ve been able to do here and there this season, but not consistently.

The big question is whether Hamilton will try to intentionally back up Rosberg and hold him up long enough for the Red Bulls or even the Ferraris to get in the mix. Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari qualified in fourth and fifth, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull in sixth.

Hamilton has to finish third or better to have a shot at winning. Rosberg can still win if Hamilton comes in second by finishing in fourth to sixth. If Hamilton comes in third, Rosberg can win if he finished seventh or eighth. It’s a precarious situation for Hamilton at this stage.

Below is the full qualifying order for Saturday’s session: