>
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secure the front row for Red Bull ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix… as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has to settle for fifth in the car, he ‘never intends to race again to drive’
- Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez blocked the front row of the Abu Dhabi grid
- The pair are racing to try and finish 1-2 to Red Bull in the Drivers’ Championship
- Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fifth as he tries to win his first race of the year
- Hamilton has struggled with his car and isn’t ‘never planning to drive it again’
Two raging Red Bulls in the form of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez put aside their animosity to close off the front row for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
As a result, Lewis Hamilton has serious work ahead of him, on the verge of an impossible mission, to maintain his unique record of winning in each of his 16 seasons in Formula 1.
He will start fifth with the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz also ahead of him on the Yas Marina circuit, which offers one-way overtaking opportunities.
Max Verstappen (left) and Sergio Perez (right) blocked the front row for Red Bull
For Hamilton, who is nearly seven-tenths off Verstappen’s crushing pace, has only had to contend with his underpowered Mercedes twice, in today’s final of 22 laps and then in a Tuesday test session as welcome as head lice .
“I don’t plan on driving this one again after that,” said Hamilton. “It’s not something I’m going to ask for in my contract.
“We need to build a much more efficient car. Everyone on the team knows the problems and where we went wrong. I’m pretty sure they’re not going to build the next car with any of those features.’
His boss Toto Wolff was more scatological in his judgment. “Today has just become a toilet day,” the Austrian ventured. “It’s one to put in the toilet.” How the mood had sunk just a week after George Russell unfurled the 2022 team’s sole triumph in Brazil with a flawless front-runner display. The young Englishman only qualified sixth.
Lewis Hamilton hopes his car improves next season after a disappointing year
The best cars of the day were in the hands of the feuding pair of Verstappen and Perez, who were balm after the recent bumps. The turbulence goes back to Brazil, where Verstappen refused to give up his spot to Perez. This was widely condemned as loveless, as the Mexican is chasing Leclerc for second in the final standings.
After keeping sixth to himself, Verstappen alluded to an event earlier in the season he held against Perez. He did not explain what it was, although he had previously confided to close associates that he believes Perez deliberately squeezed during qualifying in Monaco to secure pole position.
But here everything was sweetness and light. Verstappen has, as agreed in advance, taken Perez in tow for his last lap. “I want to help get second place for ‘Checo’,” said Verstappen, who was laughed at as he spoke.
Perez was two tenths off pole, but a crucial 0.04 second ahead of Leclerc.
No wonder he glowed with appreciation and said, “Max did a good job for me.”
During a farewell weekend, the retiring Sebastian Vettel qualified ninth for Aston Martin.
Perez (L) and Verstappen (R) hope to secure a Red Bull 1-2 in the Drivers’ Championship