"It's only one step, a very small step," said Nico Rosberg, who starts on pole. "This weekend is about the championship, not about pole position. It would have been great if there was a Williams in between us, but that can always happen tomorrow."

Eddie Jordan
BBC F1 chief analyst

"Williams could win this race. They are a serious team at this moment and this track is made for them."

"It was a messy lap from Lewis, which was not expected because he had a very good lap in the second qualifying session," says Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. "I won't tell them anything anymore, they are in their own little bubble and concentrating on the race. I think we should leave them in peace now to concentrate on tomorrow."

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg stand side-by-side as they pose for the top-three photograph before heading to the official post-qualifying news conference.

Image source, Ferrari

Ferrari:, external Special guest in our garage Pharrell Williams

Mercedes-Benz have become the first engine supplier to take every pole in a season since Ford in 1969.

Meanwhile, Mercedes have now locked out the front row at the last eight consecutive races. Nico Rosberg has been on the front row at the last 11 consecutive races.

Amy Brown:, external Second's still good. We can do this tomorrow, Lewis Hamilton.

Allie:, external Well I think we know by now Lewis never likes to make things easy for himself.

Jordan Coyle:, external I'd take 2nd - so lucky to stay ahead of Bottas and Massa.

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator in Abu Dhabi

"That validates the pole position trophy for Nico this year. He has retained his cool throughout the qualifying sessions. But Lewis just needs to follow him home as he can finish second and win the championship.

1) Nico Rosberg 2) Lewis Hamilton 3) Valtteri Bottas 4) Felipe Massa 5) Daniel Ricciardo 6) Sebastian Vettel 7) Daniil Kvyat 8) Jenson Button 9) Kimi Raikkonen 10) Fernando Alonso

11) Kevin Magnussen 12) Jean-Eric Vergne 13) Sergio Perez 14) Nico Hulkenberg 15) Adrian Sutil

16) Romain Grosjean 17) Esteban Gutierrez 18) Pastor Maldonado 19) Kamui Kobayashi 20) Will Stevens

Lewis Hamilton made a couple of mistakes on that final lap and simply didn't have an answer to Nico Rosberg's pace.

Image source, AFP

Nico Rosberg takes pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Tabitha Teddy:, external Arrrrggghhhhh.....can't bear to watch!!!! *hides eyes with paws*

Nico Rosberg goes even quicker, beating his previous time by 0.217 seconds. Felipe Massa goes fourth, Lewis Hamilton has yet to cross the line.

Valtteri Bottas goes third quickest, just 0.004 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton! Hamilton isn't going too quickly. He's had a really slow first sector.

Lewis Hamilton will be the last man to cross the line. So what have you got Lewis?

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator in Abu Dhabi

"It's been a stroke of marketing genius with the double points because we've all been talking about it for a long time."

The drivers have dived into the pits for a fresh set of boots ahead of one final run. Oh, the tension.

1) Ros 2) Ham 3) Mas 4) Bot 5) Ric 6) Vet 7) But 8) Alo 9) Kvy No time: Rai

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator in Abu Dhabi

"We've seen this a few times this year when a big lap counts in qualifying for whatever reason Lewis has difficulties."

Nico Rosberg goes quickest with a stunning 1:40.697. Can Lewis Hamilton beat that? No! The Briton locks up in a big way as he brakes for the final corner and crosses the line three tenths off the pace. It's still good enough for second, one tenth clear of Felipe Massa in third.

Valtteri Bottas sets the early pace with a 1:41.321, but he's bumped down a place by Williams' team-mate Felipe Massa.