Lewis Hamilton hopes that he, Max Verstappen and the other 18 drivers can finish the F1 season with a ‘good race’. The seven-time champion will start second as his Dutch rival took the pole at the Abu Dhabi GP – a race that will decide the king of 2021. 

After 21 races of the most competitive, dramatic season in at least a decade, Verstappen and Hamilton arrive at Yas Marina Circuit tied in the standings. One of them is set to emerge as world champion – either Hamilton earning a record eighth title that would break a tie with Michael Schumacher. Or Verstappen, who would be the first Dutch victor in F1 history.

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However, the advantage lies with Verstappen. If both fail to finish, he will be declared winner on wins this season. 

Hamilton, after coming second in Saturday’s qualifying, said that his Mercedes couldn’t keep up with the raw pace of Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. The 36-year-old lost the pole by nearly 0.4 seconds. 

Hamilton was interviewed by former F1 driver David Coulthard after the qualifying session.

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“Firstly, Max did a great lap today and we just couldn’t compete with that. But it was looking really strong through practice. We couldn’t answer to that lap. That was a fantastic lap by him,” the Briton said. 

He further spoke about the differences in tire strategy between Mercedes and Red Bull. Verstappen, after developing a flat spot on n his medium compound tire in Q2, set his flying time on the soft tire. 

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As per FIA’s rules, the driver must start on the same tire that was used to set the fastest time in Q2. So the Dutchman will start on softs while Hamilton will be on the mediums. 

‘We’re in a good position I’d like to think with our tires for tomorrow. I hope that we can have a good race.”

“This is what this epic championship deserves,” Mercedes head Toto Wolff said after Vertstappen claimed the pole on Saturday.

This is a title fight that’s been called among the greatest in sport history, likened to both James Hunt vs. Niki Lauda in 1976 and Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost in 1990.

With inputs from the Associated Press.