Hamilton takes pole

McLarens Lewis Hamilton left his rivals reeling on Saturday with pole position for the floodlit first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton grabbed the 17th pole of his career to push Red Bulls German Sebastian Vettel into second at the new Yas Marina circuit that hosts Sundays season-ender.

While both titles have been decided already in favour of compatriot Jenson Button and Brawn GP,Hamiltons McLaren are only a point ahead of Ferrari in the third place in the constructors standings with significant prize money at stake.

Button,who clinched the drivers championship in Brazil with a race to spare,qualified fifth for Brawn. Neither Ferrari made it to the final session of qualifying,with Kimi Raikkonen pegged back in 11th place. Italian Giancarlo Fisichell qualified last for what will also be his last Formula One appearance. Renaults Fernando Alonso also had a demoralising afternoon and qualified 16th. McLarens Heikki Kovalainen was 13th.

For Force India,Vitantonio Liuzzi occupied the 17th place,just ahead of team mate Adrian Sutil.