Rosberg takes pole position at Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

Coverage: Live BBC TV, radio and text coverage of the race.

Nico Rosberg believes an old “high mileage” engine in his Mercedes may hinder him in his hopes of reeling off a third straight victory ahead of team-mate and newly-crowned triple world champion Lewis Hamilton in Sunday?s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez took a surprise third place for Force India, though he best lap was six tenths down on Rosberg’s P1 time.

Having claimed only one pole position from the first 13 grands prix of the season, Rosberg has claimed pole for the final six races of the season since the change. I have the confidence in the auto to really push and there is definitely the potential to come away with a great result this weekend.

Former champions Red Bull had sought Mercedes engines after falling out with Renault but were rebuffed, with the German manufacturer anxious about helping a rival to beat them.

“Normally I’m not too over-excited when I’m on pole, as you don’t get any points on a Saturday.” said Rosberg “But this time was a pretty cool feeling. I am quicker at the moment and I am pleased about that and happy to be on pole again”. “I might make some more tweaks tonight and hopefully tomorrow’s going to be good”. “I’ve tried to make changes this weekend but have disadvantaged myself a little bit with one of the things I took off the vehicle, which was of benefit, but I’ll try to get around it”. “We’ve been through some tough times and better times as well, and we did both learn from those years”.

“I want to thank the team”.

Perez couldn’t touch his set time and had to watch and see how Räikkonen, who has been quick all weekend, jumped ahead of him into the top 3 by one tenth of a second.

Sebastian Vettel is nearly out of the picture in 16th and although he has previous for storming through the field in Abu Dhabi – in 2012 with Red Bull – his auto was deliberately set up to maximise overtaking opportunities for that race, which hasn’t happened here.

Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Felipe Massa in the second Williams will start in seventh and eighth respectively.

His McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, who was involved in a minor prang with Valtteri Bottas in the pit lane after the Williams crew released their man rather prematurely, crossed the line in 12th.

“When Ron says something, you have the ideal opportunity to ask him to clarify his quote”. At one stage the Spaniard, who won the first of his back-to-back championships a decade ago, hinted he would park his uncompetitive McLaren. The lights went on for the twilight F1 grand prix at the Yas Marina circuit.

But if money cannot buy happiness (or love), nor it seems can it buy a decent circuit.

“I’m here to win that 44th race, which I still haven’t done, so it’s cool how it all kind of ties in”, said Hamilton.