P3 programme
1m40.627s (18 laps, 2nd)
Qualifying
Q1 1m39.873s (on Primes, 1st)
Q2 1m39.695s (on Primes, 1st)
Q3 1m40.948s (on Primes, 1st)
Today we saw the fourth pole position of the season for Lewis, who revelled in the handling of MP4-24 around the Yas Marina circuit today. After an extremely encouraging run yesterday, and going into this afternoon’s final practice, Lewis refined the car’s balance to his liking, finally declaring the car “the best it’s felt all year,” after taking pole.
“My pole lap wasn’t too aggressive,” said Lewis. “I was very smooth, and it just kept getting better and better. KERS Hybrid and the engine have been fantastic all season – and today was no exception – but it’s the chassis that has really come good lately and we’ve brought them all together this weekend to create the perfect package.
“Even more encouragingly, this is all a work-in-progress for next year – and winning tomorrow would be a perfect way to end the season and raise our expectations for 2010.
“It should be an exciting race – I just want to go out and do the job tomorrow.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Lewis did a brilliant job, demonstrating prodigious speed, to secure pole position in dominant fashion in Abu Dhabi this evening. We were relatively aggressive in terms of his fuel strategy, but we’ve certainly been more aggressive in a few other qualifying sessions this year and there’s therefore no doubt that his pace here is very genuine.
“Tomorrow’s race will be an arduous one for drivers and team members alike – hot and tiring – but we’ll be aiming to end the season on a high by delivering a disciplined, focused and hopefully victorious performance, in an effort to secure third place in the 2009 Constructors’ World Championship.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“What a great lap from Lewis. This was his fourth pole in the last seven grands prix since Valencia and certainly a very important one on this fantastic new race track here in Abu Dhabi. Hopefully we can continue in that direction tomorrow. Our race simulation laps showed yesterday that our speed is there.
“The organisers and the hosts here did an unbelievable job to build up this very impressive venue – another good reason why it would be very special to fight for a victory tomorrow at this inaugural GP of Abu Dhabi.”
