Abu Dhabi, Nov 28, 2015 (AFP) - Nico Rosberg snatched his sixth straight pole position with a dramatic last-gasp lap in Saturday's twilight qualifying session for Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old German outpaced his Mercedes team-mate, the newly-crowned three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, by 0.377 seconds with his final effort in a closely-fought session.
Punched the air
Hamilton had been fastest in the two earlier sessions and led Rosberg before he reacted to take pole again, as he did before 2014's showdown race.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari qualified third on the grid for Sunday's race behind the two Mercedes, as they achieved another front row lockout, after his team-mate Sebastian Vettel had failed to progress from Q1.
Mexican Sergio Perez was fourth-fastest for Force India ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull, Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams, German Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Brazilian Felipe Massa in the second Williams.
Russian Daniil Kvyat was ninth for Red Bull and Spaniard Carlos Sainz 10th for Toro Rosso.
Rosberg's joy was clear as he punched the air with delight on his slow-down lap while Hamilton appeared bewildered and slightly crestfallen, his loss of form since winning his third title at last month's United States Grand Prix continuing.
Abu Dhabi GP qualifying results
Qualifying 3
1. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:40.237
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:40.614
3. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1:41.051
4. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.184
5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:41.444
6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams-Mercedes 1:41.656
7. Nico Hlkenberg (GER) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.686
8. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams-Mercedes 1:41.759
9. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:41.933
10. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:42.708
Qualifying 2
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:40.758 (Q)
2. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:40.979 (Q)
3. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.560 (Q)
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1:41.612 (Q)
5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:41.830 (Q)
6. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams-Mercedes 1:41.868 (Q)
7. Nico Hlkenberg (GER) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.925 (Q)
8. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:42.328 (Q)
9. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams-Mercedes 1:42.349 (Q)
10. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:42.482 (Q)
11. Max Verstappen (NED) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:42.521
12. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren-Honda 1:42.668
13. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Lotus-Mercedes 1:42.807
14. Felipe Nasr (BRA) Sauber-Ferrari 1:43.614
15. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Lotus-Mercedes
Qualifying 1
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:40.974
2. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:41.111
3. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.983
4. Nico Hlkenberg (GER) Force India-Mercedes 1:41.996
5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:42.275
6. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams-Mercedes 1:42.303
7. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1:42.500
8. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Red Bull-Renault 1:42.540
9. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren-Honda 1:42.570
10. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Lotus-Mercedes 1:42.585
11. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams-Mercedes 1:42.608
12. Max Verstappen (NED) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:42.889
13. Felipe Nasr (BRA) Sauber-Ferrari 1:42.896
14. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Toro Rosso-Renault 1:42.911
15. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Lotus-Mercedes 1:42.929
16. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Ferrari 1:42.941
Did not qualify
17. Fernando Alonso (ESP) McLaren-Honda 1:43.187
18. Marcus Ericsson (SWE) Sauber-Ferrari 1:43.838
19. Will Stevens (GBR) Marussia-Ferrari 1:46.297
20. Roberto Merhi (ESP) Marussia-Ferrari 1:47.434