Hamilton hails 'emotional' Abu Dhabi pole

Emotions ran high for Lewis Hamilton as the final qualifying session for 2018 ended in familiar circumstances – with the Mercedes man snatching pole. Hamilton secured his 11th pole of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leading Valtteri Bottas in a Mercedes front-row lockout.

Mercedes' fifth-consecutive front-row lockout at the Yas Marina Circuit is a new Formula 1 record, with Hamilton delivering a stunning performance, despite having wrapped up his fifth title for weeks.

With the pressure off, Hamilton said he was able to simply go out an enjoy himself in Abu Dhabi and he lowered the lap record to 1:34.794.

"I'm so grateful for all the support we've had here," he said. "It's so emotional for me because it's the last lap I'll do in this car. I've been so emotionally attached to this car.

???? if you just got pole!#AbuDhabiGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/9cnBm3Otzf — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 24, 2018

"I'm so grateful for the mechanics who put this together for me. To just go all out and put a performance like that is a special feeling. I'm just happy that this car will be in the history museum at Mercedes in Germany, so I can go visit whenever I can.

"It's been a privilege to work in this team with the mechanics who have given it to me. Their diligence I'm so grateful for everyone and it's so much fun to go out there and express yourself and push your car the way you want.

"I never say there is a perfect lap the first one wasn't spectacular there was excursions and movement at the rear end the last sector was the killer and were I was able to make the difference, that's not easy to do.

"Valtteri did a great job and Sebastian too."

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