Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsMercedes

Hamilton struggles with set-up

40

Lewis Hamilton was once again dominated by team mate Nico Rosberg in today's qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 2015 World Champion looked pretty much on a par with his Mercedes rival from the outset of the session, and appeared even on track to snatch pole following a superb middle sector on his last run in Q3.

It wasn't to be however as the effort still left the British driver at the thick end of almost 4/10ths of a second behind a blindingly fast Rosberg.

"I've generally been struggling a bit with the car all weekend," Hamilton admitted after qualifying.

"We've been working really hard to make some changes to the balance and try something completely different but it's just been so so."

Hamilton actually won the race from P2 last year, so one could consider that his chances of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat remain intact, although overtaking opportunities around the Yas Marina harbor are usually few and in between.

"I'm going to try as hard as I can to get a good start tomorrow. We've got a lot of race fans here and a lot of support, so I'll do my best.

"But it is tough to overtake because once you've got the DRS zone there on the back straight, you can't follow through turns 2 and 3.

"I would much rather be on pole, and worked as hard as I could towards that, but Nico just did a great job in Q3."

AS IT HAPPENED: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Qualifying

Between the lines at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features

Click here for exclusive pictures of the Ferrari power unit

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Pos	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.