Abu Dhabi: A new track in Formula One's latest country but an ‘old' champion it was who dominated the qualifiers and took pole position in the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — the first-ever day/night race in the history of the sport.
The youngest world champion in 2008, Hamilton, who was dethroned by fellow Briton Jenson Button a fortnight ago, now starts favourite in the year-ending ‘twilight test' scheduled for a 5pm start.
In pictures: F1 teams at a glance
Read special coverage of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Hamilton said the ‘perfect' circuit and a ‘good car' had put him in pole position and promised a great race for the fans here.
"This is probably the best spin of the year so far. The car is the best it has been all year. It was a smooth lap, and it just kept getting better and better," said the 24-year-old, who was involved in a close tussle with the new world champion Button, topping the latter in the first and second practice sessions on Friday, but finishing second best in Saturday's afternoon practice.
Decisive run
However in the evening's decisive run, Hamilton was fastest in 1:40.948, followed by the Red Bull pair of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, while Button will start fifth just behind his Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello, a starting grid that does promise a mouth-watering finish to the Formula One season.
Live coverage: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
"The place is just stunning. They all said it would be a great event, but it's mind-blowing," said the man who is looking to blow away his rivals.
"It's a great place to come to, a great country. The weather has been great and the people are so respectful and so welcoming. I hope we can put on a great show tomorrow," Hamilton added.
Surprise gap
Vettel, who is involved in a battle for the second place with Barrichello with just two points separating them in the drivers' championship, said he was surprised with the 0.7 second gap between him and Hamilton.
Hamilton's pole position will also give his team McLaren Mercedes an edge in its fight with Ferrari for the third place in the Constructors' Championship with just one point separating them.
Read Gulf News blog on Formula One
Later, speaking exclusively to Gulf News, Richard Cregan, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: "We are at the halfway point of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and we have been really pleased from the feedback from the teams, drivers and our guests. We will not be complacent and are working hard to deliver the best experience we can.
Memorable race
"We think it is going to be a memorable race," Cregan added.
After two days of exhilarating and incident-free action, a packed Yas Marina Circuit with over 50,000 fans is all set to add a new chapter to the both the history of Formula One sport and to the sporting capital of Abu Dhabi.
Pole position
1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren-Mercedes, 1 minute 40.948 seconds
2. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Red Bull, 1:41.615
3. Mark Webber, Australia, Red Bull, 1:41.726
4. Rubens Barrichello, Brazil, Brawn GP, 1:41.786
5. Jenson Button, Britain, Brawn GP, 1:41.892
6. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota, 1:41.897
7. Robert Kubica, Poland, BMW-Sauber, 1:41.992
8. Nick Heidfeld, Germany, BMW-Sauber, 1:42.343
9. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Williams, 1:42.583 10. Sebastien Buemi, Switzerland, Toro Rosso, 1:42.713
Eliminated in second round of qualifying
11. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, 1:40.726 1 2. Kamui Kobayashi, Japan, Toyota, 1:40.777 13. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:40.983 14. Kazuki Nakajima, Japan, Williams, 1:41.148 15. Jaime Alguersuari, Spain, Toro Rosso, 1:41.689
Eliminated in first round of qualifying
16. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Renault, 1:41.667 17. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Italy, Force India, 1:41.701 18. Adrian Sutil, Germany, Force India,1:41.863 19. Romain Grosjean, France, Renault, 1:41.950 20. Giancarlo Fisichella, Italy, Ferrari, 1:42.184
