Bottas takes pole position for Abu Dhabi GP

Mercedes's driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland is set to start on pole position at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the year-closure race of the Formula One World Championship, after he was the fastest at Saturday's qualifying.

Bottas came first after covering the Yas Marina Circuit in one minute and 36.231 seconds, ahead of his British teammate Lewis Hamilton, who, based on points, has already won the 2017 F1 World Championship for the fourth time, reports Efe.

"Things were getting better and better in practice and through qualifying," said Bottas.

"I just felt very good in the car and I'm really happy."

Hamilton had been fastest earlier on Saturday during the final practice session.

"An incredible qualifying," Hamilton said, congratulating his teammate on "an exceptional job."

German Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, who will start third on Sunday, said it was a "shame to be that far back but we should have good race pace."

Red Bull's Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari will start fourth and fifth respectively.

Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso of McLaren and Renault's Carlos Sainz were eliminated in the second round (Q2).

--IANS

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