Niki Lauda says 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix pole sitter Lewis Hamilton has been unbeatable so far this weekend, with the Briton outpacing Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by over three tenths in qualifying.
Hamilton’s strong Q3 lap came after he had already topped the first two phases of Saturday evening’s session, as well as Friday practice. Lauda also dismissed suggestions that his rival Rosberg has had a cautious approach ahead of Sunday’s title decider.
“Nobody is playing it softly,” the former triple world champion told Sky Sports F1 at the end of qualifying. “Lewis did an incredible lap, outstanding. From Day One, he has been putting laps in that nobody could do.
“This is pure Lewis. That’s his talent, being aggressive and on the attack and he did a fantastic job.”
While Hamilton had hoped to see either the Red Bulls or Ferraris split him and Rosberg on the grid in order to boost his championship challenge, Lauda was happy with another front-row lock-out for the German manufacturer.
“For me, it’s important that both Mercedes are on the front row with Nico second. That’s the best possible result.”
Rosberg enters Sunday's race with a 12-point edge over Hamilton, which means he can afford to settle for a podium finish to win his first world title.
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