Hamilton´s qualifying compromised by set-up

Lewis Hamilton conceded his qualifying set-up compromised his pace after being beaten by Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg for the sixth time in a row in Abu Dhabi.

Rosberg sealed pole at the Yas Marina circuit for the second year in a row, trumping world champion Hamilton by over three tenths.

Hamilton’s performances have notably dropped off since retaining his title in Austin, although he had looked strong initially on Saturday, going quickest in the first two qualifying sessions, only to be outstripped by the German when it mattered most.

Asked if there was a reason for his pace dropping in Q3, Hamilton said: “Not really. I’ve generally been struggling with the car a little bit all weekend.

“We’ve been working really hard to make some changes and we had to take something off the car, but Nico was just really quick today and he did a really great job in Q3.”

Rosberg has dominated the field since Hamilton was crowned champion with impressive victories in Mexico and Brazil.

“Before it was close in the other direction and now it is close in this direction,” he added.

“I am quicker at the moment and I am very pleased about that. I am enjoying the moment and happy to be on pole again.

“There is no revival and I haven’t invented anything. It is just progress and that is it.

“Before it was always very, very close and Lewis had that one tenth edge and at the moment it is me that has the one tenth edge, today a bit more, but it was very close lately in the last two races.”