Lewis Hamilton conceded that he was still struggling from the effects of COVID-19 after qualifying third for Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but insisted he’d drive “even if one of my arms was hanging off”.
The newly-crowned seven-time world champion was within 0.086 of pole position in his Mercedes, but still missed out on a front row start for only the second time in 12 years at the Yas Marina Circuit.
His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas qualified second behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull who secured his first pole of the year and the third of his career.
“Of course, it’s always nice to start first but you can’t always, and this makes it even more exciting,” said Hamilton w…
Keep on reading: ‘I’d drive with arm hanging off,’ says below-par Hamilton