Valtteri Bottas is aiming to put right the disappointment of having lost the victory two weeks ago in Brazil after securing a second pole in a row for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Finn produced a remarkable first run at the start of Q3 to squeak a tenth ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, though the world champion looked on course to go faster on his second effort, he couldn’t maintain the pace in the final sector which allowed Bottas to take a fourth pole of the year.
At Interlagos, a poor start would allow Sebastian Vettel to ease ahead into Turn 1 which proved decisive in the race with the Mercedes driver unable to respond, with the first lap likely to be crucial at Yas Marina too, the 28-year-old is determined to put that right.
“I was so gutted in Brazil in the last race being on pole and missing the win,” he said. “So I have a clear target for tomorrow.”
Saturday also ended a barren run against his teammate in qualifying as it was the first time Bottas had beaten Hamilton on pace since the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.
“Today things were getting better and better for me and also in qualifying, I just managed to find time and it was all under control,” he explained. “It felt really good in the car and the Q3 run one lap was good enough, so I’m really happy.”
Victory on Sunday would also keep alive any aspirations of beating Vettel to second in the Drivers’ Championship but Valtteri would need the Ferrari driver to finish lower than ninth to have a chance.