Nico Rosberg grabbed a crucial pole position ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the build-up to the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday (2pm).

For the 11th time this season Rosberg again held the upper hand in qualifying over Hamilton, who was forced to settle for second best at the Yas Marina circuit.

Hamilton was quickest in the first and second sessions, yet it was Rosberg who pulled out the vital lap when it mattered most in the top-10 shoot-out with a time of one minute 40.480secs - four tenths of a second faster than the Briton.

The Williams of Bottas and Massa filled the second row with the Red Bulls of Ricciardo and Vettel in the third row. However the Red Bulls were later sent to the back of the grid after stewards found the cars had flexible front wings.

Kyvyat was seventh in a Torro Rosso and Jenson Button qualified eighth in the McLaren.

Fernando Alonso, preparing for his last race for Ferrari, qualified tenth, behind team-mate Raikkonen.

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