Formula One news

Late effort places Rosberg in shootout

Nico Rosberg left it late to post his best lap time of Q2 and narrowly progress into the third and final phase of the qualifying session in Abu Dhabi. With his effort having knocked out the Ferrari of Kimi Räikkönen at the last moment, Nico went on to qualify ninth for the first race in the Arabian Gulf.

Able to beat only the Toro Rosso of Sébastien Buemi in the 10-minute Q3 period, Rosberg admits that the Williams is not ideally suited to the new venue.

"The session went okay; I think 9th was around the best we could get out of today because we are definitely struggling on the open sections of this circuit, but points are definitely possible here and very important for us this weekend," he said after his last ever qualifying session with Williams.

"From the fifth row and with a good strategy tomorrow, we can stay ahead of BMW in the Constructors' and I can hold 7th position ahead of Trulli in the Drivers' Championship. It's a good track, not easy and very hot, but this is also the last race for me with Williams and I want to do the best for this great team."

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