Hamilton: I'm really really happy for Bottas

Hamilton: I'm really really happy for Bottas

Saturday 25 November 2017 15:21

Lewis Hamilton has said he is 'really really happy' for his team-mate Valtteri Bottas following the latter's successful acquisition of pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, while the Finn himself is looking to put the bad memories of Brazil behind him.

In qualifying at Yas Marina today, Bottas and Hamilton dominated, with both drivers breaking the track record at separate points of the afternoon.

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It would eventually be Bottas who would record the fastest time and claim pole, and Hamilton was full of praise for his team-mate.

"Bottas had an incredible qualifying so congratulations to him," said the Brit.

"I'm really really happy for him. I was up a tenth in turn one but lost it in five or six. But overall it's been an incredible year of qualifying, one that I've enjoyed very much."

In the last Grand Prix at Interlagos in Brazil, Bottas was the best qualifier again but his performance in the race proper disappointed as Sebastian Vettel went on to claim the chequered flag.

Now that he is in pole position again, Bottas is eager not to make the same mistakes as Brazil.

"I was go gutted in Brazil, being on pole and missing the win, but I have a clear target for tomorrow and I'm sure all the fans here will cheer me on."

Bottas still has an outside chance of finishing in second in the driver's championship - he must win the race while Vettel must finish in ninth or lower.