Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live: Latest from qualifying as Lewis Hamilton looks for fourth consecutive pole

Follow lap-by-lap updates from the Las Marina Circuit

Hamilton has finished on pole in each of the last three races (Getty)

Lewis Hamilton is looking to make it four pole positions in a row as he continues his late push for the Drivers’ Championship at the final race weekend of the season at Abu Dhabi.

The Briton has been slowly cutting away at Nico Rosberg’s lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and will need a pole if he is to have any chance of overtaking his Mercedes teammate on the final race of the season.

• Rosberg only needs to finish on the podium on Sunday to win the title
• Hamilton is 12 points adrift of Mercedes teammate and rival Rosberg
• It will be Jenson Button’s final qualifying session as he retires from the sport

Follow the live action below…

Please allow a moment for the blog to load…

Last five race winners:

Brazil – Lewis Hamilton

Mexico – Lewis Hamilton

United States – Lewis Hamilton

Japan – Nico Rosberg

Malaysia – Daniel Ricciardo

Drivers’ Championship current standing:

1. Nico Rosberg – 367 points

2. Lewis Hamilton – 355 points

3. Daniel Ricciardo – 246 points

[26 November 2016 12:22 · Jack Austin]

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog of the final day of qualifying of the Formula 1 calendar at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton is looking to make it four pole positions in a row, having started at the front of the grid in Brazil, Mexico and the United States.

The Briton has been slowly cutting away at Nico Rosberg’s lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship and will need a pole if he is to have any chance of overtaking his Mercedes teammate on the final race of the season.

Rosberg only needs to finish on the podium to guarantee himself the title, but having not started on pole since Japan, he will be keen to take it this weekend in order to frustrate Hamilton’s chances.

Red Bull team principle Christian Horner insisted his drivers, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo would be doing their upmost to disrupt the Mercedes’ in their pursuit of the title.

Qualifying at the Las Marina Circuit will also be Jenson Button’s final one, as he announced this race weekend would be his last, despite having the option of returning to McLaren after his one-year sabbatical next season.

The action unfolds from 1pm and you can follow all the action live here.

[26 November 2016 12:26 · Jack Austin]

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton piles pressure on Nico Rosberg as championship battle heats up

[26 November 2016 12:38 · Jack Austin]

Lewis Hamilton takes inspiration from late Aki Hintsa to fight Nico Rosberg with 'double the power'

[26 November 2016 12:48 · Jack Austin]

Not long until the first few cars will be out on the track for the final Q1 of the season. 12 minutes to go...

[26 November 2016 12:53 · Jack Austin]

Unsurprisingly, it was Hamilton and Rosberg who dominated the practice sessions with the Brit going quicker than his rival on each occasion. Another showing like that today would put Lewis in great stead.

[26 November 2016 12:57 · Jack Austin]

Here we go then - Rosberg has beaten Hamilton to pole here in each of the last two years. Can he make it three?

[26 November 2016 13:00 · Jack Austin]

Vettel is just climbing into his Ferrari, and he did very well in the final practice session here.

[26 November 2016 13:00 · Jack Austin]

Lights have gone green at the final qualifying session of the season is underway!

[26 November 2016 13:02 · Jack Austin]

No sign of either of the Mercedes just yet but Hamilton and Rosberg (and Vettel) have all gone with the same choice of tyre.

[26 November 2016 13:03 · Jack Austin]

Dani Kvyat is out on the track after getting minimal practice time this week due to various problems with his car. He sets the first lap of the day with a 1.43.00.