Abu Dhabi GP qualifying as it happened

PACopyright: PA

If you missed any of the action, you can watch a qualifying repeat on the Red Button at 18:00 GMT or 20:00 today or 09:00 tomorrow. There'll also be Inside F1 on the BBC News Channel at 18:45, too.

Brogan: This is going to be a very long 24 hours. #nervous

"I don't know what our race pace is like because I haven't really done a lot," says McLaren's Jenson Button, who starts eighth. "I don't know where we're going to be."

Graeme Hannah: Hamilton very composed.....knows what he needs to do tomorrow.....pressure all on Nico as he has to go for the win.

Claire Carolyne Kola Ezekiel: Lewis Hamilton will win it was just a small error that caused him the pole, tomorrow will be another day.

Stephen Earl: Just hope it's a great race and there's no mechanical issues that decide it.

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"It's a pretty intense weekend," says Nico Rosberg. "I'm not sure how well I'll sleep but I'm sure I'll get the hours that I need. It's still a race I want to win. I have to go for that to have a chance [of winning the title]. It's going to be exciting and I'm sure it will be a good battle with Lewis as always. Anything can happen in racing."

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"Qualifying is an area that I will definitely try and improve next year," says Lewis Hamilton. "With it being the last race we're all feeling pressure but I don't think there was any impact on today."

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It's a big day tomorrow, which means a big live text commentary. We'll be live from 10:00 GMT, bring you all the news and photos from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix paddock as well as building up to one of the biggest races in living memory.

BBC Radio 5 live are up and running at 12:00, with BBC One joining the party at 12:10. Then it is onwards to the start of the race at 13:00. Bring. It. On.

As Eddie Jordan mentioned earlier, the Williams could well play a part in tomorrow's race, such was their impressive speed. Valtteri Bottas was just two tenths slower than Lewis Hamilton, with his team-mate Felipe Massa a tenth further back.

Steven Gradridge: Rosberg may have pole, but we have seen on numerous occasions what Hamilton can do from 2nd. Bring on tomorrow!

Vicky Nutley: Couldn't tweet during quali as had fingernails to chew instead. During the race tomorrow maybe down to elbows

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So the stage is set for the final act. Nico Rosberg starts on pole with his title rival and team-mate Lewis Hamilton alongside him. If it stays like this tomorrow, Hamilton will be crowned 2014 Formula 1 world champion. But it's a big if.

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"Lewis (pictured) will not sleep well tonight, he will think about it," says Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda. "But tomorrow is the race. Tomorrow, they both come in neutral. It's going to be a two- or three-stop race and anything can happen."

Bob Horton on Facebook: "Lewis will win the championship: it will be a Mercedes 1-2 as it has been pretty much all season and so regardless of where he is in that setup Lewis wins the title. Only way he'll lose it is if (touch wood) his car packs up."

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

Mercedes: Both sides of the garage congratulate each other on an incredible fight for pole! That's team spirit right there...

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The coverage on BBC One may have ended, but we're not done yet. There's a special BBC F1 Forum on the Red Button and online right now.

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"That was a super exciting qualifying session and once again Nico delivers under pressure. Lewis has been following the same format all season, goes out after Nico and drops the ball - maybe he is just trying to build the tension."

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"I've been to two races before and it's an honour to be back," says singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, who is in town ahead of his performance at the event. "Obviously, we're just hoping for a good safe race. Lewis is a friend and I want to see him do it again. I've known him for between eight and 10 years. It's been awesome to follow his journey."

Former world champion Nigel Mansell: "Lewis and Nico need to remember world is watching, for me Lewis has points advantage, just do enough. They need to look after their cars.

"Super performance from both Williams drivers great second row lock out, they could have impact on championship, Merc just need good start."

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"I generally didn't have the best of laps but I enjoyed the qualifying session," says Lewis Hamilton, who starts second."Tomorrow is going to be a special day. "When asked about how he will approach the first corner, he says: "Same as every time."

"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."

"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."

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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.

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Ferrari: 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: Second's still good. We can do this tomorrow, Lewis Hamilton.

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

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

"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.

Tabitha Teddy: 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.

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

"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

"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.

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

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton reports that he's feeling vibrations in his current set of tyres. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel begins the first timed lap of the session.

Linda Farouk: Qualifying is making me feel sick with nervous excitement

Amy Brown: Now I'm nervous. Come on, Lewis. You can do it!

"This really is the moment the drivers want, low fuel and the track as good as it's ever going to be."

Nico Rosberg is out on track, with Lewis Hamilton (pictured) not too far behind.

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The time has come. Let the battle for pole position begin!

Ex-f1 driver Mark Webber: "Nico has the toughest job. He needs to win and have a smooth day but if Nico has a technical problem, Lewis has the runs on the board."

Mercedes: That's Q2 complete with both drivers successfully through to the final shootout! Hold on tight people...

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There's a star-studded line-up in the Red Bull garage - and the drivers aren't even in there. Spice girl Geri Halliwell, who got engaged to Red Bull boss Christian Horner recently, is enjoying qualifying in the garage, along with Prince Harry.

Jeremiah Kariuki: That a superb drive by the Williams. If they end up repeating the same in Q3, one of the Mercedes may have to start on row 2!

PaulP1988: Who would have thought that the Mercedes would be split by both the Williams?! Hopefully the same in Q3

Sean Adams: Magnussen qualifies outside the top 10 with Button through to Q3. Could be a significant development.

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Ex-F1 driver Mark Webber: "I think Lewis has a small advantage, he's very strong on this track. Nico has nothing to lose, he just has to put together to have a chance. If it's a clean grand prix, it's Lewis Hamilton's title."

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

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

Super lap from Felipe Massa who goes second, just 0.224 seconds off the pace set by Lewis Hamilton with Valtteri Bottas two tenths further back in third. Great pace from Williams here, but do Mercedes still have something in the bag for Q3?

Kevin Magnussen goes eighth, pushing Daniil Kvyat into the drop zone. However, the Dane is bumped down a place with his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button slotting into sixth.

Jenson Button's race engineer: "We need to pit. Box this lap." Button replies: "Can I ask why?"

His engineer replies: "Yes, we need to fuel the car." Button: "Are you serious?"

The Englishman doesn't sound too happy with that...

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Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Hulkenberg, Adrian Sutil, Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button are currently in the drop zone. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg (pictured) are in the garage. Looks like they've done enough to progress.

Toro RossoCopyright: Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso: Nightfall Q2

Super effort from Valtteri Bottas to go third quickest, just a fraction behind Nico Rosberg's Mercedes. McLaren's Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen have yet to set a lap time. Five minutes to go.

Jeremiah Kariuki: It is definitely a 1-2 at for Mercedes on pole. But my tip for Lewis Hamilton to take the pole.

Kurt: I think #Massa could be a dark horse during this session #Q2

Nico Rosberg gets back on it on the following lap but he can't get close to Lewis Hamilton. The German goes second 0.539 seconds off the pace.

Mercedes: How's this for insight. Chairman Niki [Lauda] just chatting to a team member to tell him how to improve the wave out of the garage! To signal when it's safe to head out!. Incredible attention to detail in all areas. Even at moments of the highest pressure!

Lewis Hamilton goes quickest with a 1:40.920, 0.655 seconds clear of Felipe Massa. Nico Rosberg has to abort his lap after running off track before rejoining.

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Red Bull: Into the Dusk. Sebastian and Daniel Ricciardo for Q2 in the Abu Dhabi twilight.

Felipe Massa sets the early pace with a 1:41.575, which is just slower than what he managed in Q1.

Everyone apart from McLaren's Jenson Button head out on track. Super-softs are the tyre of choice.

Time for Q2. This session lasts 15 minutes and will see the five slowest drivers knocked out.

"I thought Will Stevens did an amazing job, bearing in mind he hasn't had a lot of driving this year."

Stevens, making his F1 debut this weekend, qualified 20th, 0.555 seconds slower than experienced Caterham team-mate Kamui Kobayashi.

1) Lewis Hamilton 2) Nico Rosberg 3) Felipe Massa 4) Kevin Magnussen 5) Jenson Button 6) Daniel Ricciardo 7) Daniil Kvyat

8) Valtteri Bottas 9) Jean-Eric Vergne 10) Kimi Raikkonen 11) Nico Hulkenberg 12) Fernando Alonso 13) Sebastian Vettel 14) Sergio Perez 15) Adrian Sutil

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

Gareth Dallison: So Lewis Hamilton locks up a couple of times and he's still fastest in this Q1. That is some driving.

I'm Arnie Keena: Come on Rosberg PUT YA FOOT DOWN

Mighty Joe: Surprise pole and win for Maldonado?

Felipe Massa set the fastest first and second sectors of all, but he lost half a second to the Mercedes in the final sector to slot into third.

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Lewis Hamilton finishes fastest in the first part of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

With one minute to go, Pastor Maldonado, Esteban Gutierrez, Adrian Sutil, Kamui Kobayashi and Will Stevens are in the drop zone.

Jenson Button hauls himself out of the drop zone, going third quickest, but he drops a place to fourth after his McLaren team-mate Kevin Magnussen slots into third. Just 0.033 seconds separate the duo.

Good effort from Kimi Raikkonen, who slots into fifth, just a tenth slower than the Williams of Valtteri Bottas. It's less successful for Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso who can only manage 11th, three tenths further back.

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Jenson Button (pictured), Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Kamui Kobayashi and Will Stevens are in the drop zone with three minutes to go.

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Force India: This is not Grumpy Corner - our crew are concentrating on the timing screens!

Sebastian Vettel goes fourth quickest, 1.2 seconds off the pace but he's knocked down a place as his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo slots into third.

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Fernando Alonso has been on the team radio complaining about Daniil Kvyat. The Spaniard is currently 14th quickest in his Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have returned to the pits, while Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo head out for their first timed laps.

Lobster Lunch: Is Lewis Hamilton playing games? I'm surprised he locked up as much as he did.

Both Red Bulls - Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo - and both Toro Rossos - Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo - have yet to set a timed lap.

So here's how the top 10 stand with 10 minutes to go.

1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Bottas 4) Hulkenberg 5) Massa 6) Vergne 7) Grosjean 8) Magnussen 9) Button 10) Maldonado

"Hamilton certainly lost time at 14 as far as I'm concerned and he's run wide as well so that's two mistakes on this lap. That didn't look as comfortable as we're used to seeing from Lewis Hamilton."

Nico Rosberg goes quickest with a 1:41.308, one second clear of Valtteri Bottas. But Lewis Hamilton sneaks ahead by a tenth, even though he twice locked up on that scruffy lap.

Sergio Perez sets the first timed lap, a 1:43.856 with Will Stevens slotting into second. Both those laps are on the soft tyres. Interestingly, both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are on the super-softs.

Lily Moyes; Ok Lewis Hamilton can we do this the easy way please. Nice straight forward pole. No dramas today. My nerves are wrecked.

Nicholas Liddle: Come on Nico Rosberg get that pole position lad.

Nico Rosberg heads out, along with Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton stays put for now.

Britain's Will Stevens is the first man out in the Caterham, followed by Force India's Sergio Perez.

The green light comes on at the end of the pit-lane and we're under way in the final qualifying session of the season.

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Here's video of the earlier feature where David Coulthard drove a 2014 Williams. It's definitely worth a second watch.

Final preparations are taking place in the garages, with most drivers buckled into their cars. The floodlights have flickered on as darkness starts to fall. Three minutes and counting.

Lewis Hamilton heads out of the Mercedes motorhome bound for the garage, head down and sunglasses on as photographers swamp him. Seven minutes to go.

A huge 54.8% of you voted Lewis Hamilton's dramatic title win in the rain a the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix as F1's greatest title-deciding race. Full results can be found on the top-right side of the page. As ever, thanks for voting, folks.

"I think it's hugely important to take pole position. I think Rosberg is going to take pole and I think he will go on to win the race but that is not going to be enough for him."

MercedesCopyright: Mercedes

Mercedes: One last polish! Get those Silver Arrows looking tip top for the first day of this epic weekend.

"The sun is going down in Abu Dhabi, the music is blaring from the boats in the harbour in front of the Yas hotel and the atmosphere is building ahead of a critical qualifying session at this decisive race. There are lots of rumours flying around on this very intense weekend, but chats in the paddock are generally focusing on two main topics: the great battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg - of which we are about to see the penultimate chapter this year - and the McLaren driver line-up.

"Fernando Alonso will be at the team next year but will it be Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen alongside him? Chairman Ron Dennis says he does not know yet and wants to see how this weekend goes, which seems bizarre after 18 races, but does appear to be the real situation, although I understand Magnussen is still the most likely choice at this stage."

Ferrari have replaced Fernando Alonso's power unit in time for qualifying, reports BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson. He won't get a penalty, because it's part of his allocation of five engines per season.

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Red Bull: For the final race of 2014, check out Daniel Ricciardo's lid design for the weekend.

Red Bull RacingCopyright: Red Bull Racing

And here's Sebastian Vettel's blue-silver helmet design for his final race with the team, featuring the word 'danke' [thank you] ahead of his move to Ferrari.

Lisa Preece: Getting emotional about F1 already and it's only the quali pre-show!

"Kevin is a young man making his way but that's a great reminder of what Jenson has achieved. He is the lead point-scorer at McLaren. Three into two doesn't go. Fernando Alonso is obviously their primary choice. You could imagine a scenario where they keep Jenson for a year with Kevin on side-lines as a reserve where he can learn from Fernando."

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"I don't know what is going on at McLaren. I don't know where there head is. They're not thinking straight. Just look at what Jenson is able to do. What he brings to the team. Jenson Button has to be in this car [next year]."

John from Dorest: I'm suspecting Honda want Button and Dennis is playing hardball with them. You want him, I can't afford him and Alonso - you pay his salary.

Steve, 15 miles from Woking: McLaren without Button would make it easy for British supporters to fully switch to Mercedes. Maybe McLaren must hope F1 is popular in Denmark.

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Jenson Button says that when he made his debut in 2000 with Williams, team boss Sir Frank Williams just told him to go out there and have fun. "He said it didn't matter if I made mistakes because I was young and learning," added the Briton.

We've got 24 minutes to go until qualifying starts, with David Coulthard now taking Jenson Button through the key moments of his 15-year career in Formula 1. The Briton has yet to seal a deal for next season and with Fernando Alonso expected to join McLaren next season, it's a fight between him and Kevin Magnussen to get the final seat.

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"Great commentary view for the Desert Duel."

Elamaran: Still believe Nico Rosberg will win title. I am sticking to what I said in the begin of year.

Simon Gibson: Been a great season, Lewis Hamilton in with a shout at the title, a resurgent Williams and Vettel trounced by Ricciardo.

"I am a hopeful person and I think as long as you try hard enough your work will pay off in the end," says Marussia driver Max Chilton, who hasn't given up hope of Marussia returning to the sport next season.

"It is definitely not over. It is difficult but it depends on our standings. If we finish ninth it makes it more approachable for investors [because of the amount of prize money the team could recieve] but if we drop to 11th it makes it more difficult. If we had extra funding we would start mixing with the midfield."

As a motor racing enthusiast I want to see the small teams here. I want to see what they can do to pull themselves up to the main body of motor racing teams.

Caterham have managed to raise enough money to get themselves to Abu Dhabi, having missed races in Austin and Sao Paulo, but there's not such good news for Marussia - who failed in a last ditch attempt to race this weekend.

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Here's your first celebrity spot of the weekend, with Fast and Furious star Michelle Rodriguez posing for a photo in the Ferrari garage ahead of qualifying.

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President Dave: David Coulthard's trousers are inspired! They've just brightened up my day :)

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David Coulthard had the chance to drive the 1982 Williams team, which Keke Rosberg drove to the world title and then compare it to this year's Williams at Silverstone.

"The amount of torque is like nothing I've experienced before," after driving the 2014 machine. "I was meant to be giving commentary when I was out on track, but I was so impressed by the performance, I forgot to talk."

It's time for you to have your say. What's your greatest title-deciding race?

We know there have been 27 title deciders in total, but we've narrowed it down to five for you to choose from.

Simply click your choice in the tab at the top of the page and you're done and dusted.

If you want to expand on your why you chose it, let us know using the #bbcf1 hashtag, text 81111 (UK only) or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

We'll publish the result of the vote later in this live text.

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Earlier, McLaren chief Ron Dennis gave a classic interview about their driver line-up for next year (which has yet to be announced, although Fernando Alonso is expected to drive for them) where he gives the world's longest answer without actually saying anything.

"I do have a heart and it doesn't give me any pleasure at at all to stress out any driver, and certainly not our current drivers but the music hasn't stopped," he tells BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Tom Clarkson. "What I mean by that is a range of things could happen tomorrow that certainly influence the decision that have to be take.

"I believe irrespective of what my singular ability is to decide, it would be foolish not to carry the sport of the board and I think that's best achieved by a clinical and emotional free analysis of where we are and what your options are. And whatever they are today, I am convinced those options may increase and certainly we will have more data on Monday.

"Our driver contracts are not executed for next year, but they last until the end of this year, so the only pressure we have that coming from the fans and the media. We care about both, but they will be the first to criticise if we don't take the right decision. At the moment, we have choices, and now is not the time to make that choice."

OK. Thanks Ron. That clears that up, then.

Fea Palmer: Last quali of the year... Go Lewis!!!!

James Weir: I have a strong feeling tomorrow's Abu Dhabi will be Jenson Button's last #F1 race....Which is actually really sad! Let's hope not!

"Lewis and Nico can both feel good about the season they have had and it will all come down to how they do behind the wheel in this race."

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And Sebastian Vettel picks up the award for unofficial stewards after he and Fernando Alonso told tales on each other on team radio as they battled it out at Silverstone. Both were telling race director Charlie Whiting that the other was exceeding track limiting and that he was not allowed to do that. Vettel jokes that Alonso should get the award, too.

And here's the video if you were making a cup of tea when they aired it on BBC One.

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There is only one winner for best overtake - and that's Daniel Ricciardo. There were so many choose from with Ricciardo pulling of a stunner on Lewis Hamilton at Turn Two, then passing Bottas in the wet in Japan and perhaps the best of all was that move at the chicane on his team-mate Sebastian Vettel. It was like a handover of the reins at Red Bull.

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Williams' Felipe Massa takes the award for best start, following his lightening getaway in Bahrain, carving his way through the field from seventh to third before the first corner.

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Lewis Hamilton picks up the best driver for his performance in Bahrain. The Briton defended brilliantly to keep his team-mate Nico Rosberg behind him when he was on the slower tyres.

The Briton also claims the trophy for best broadcaster for the use of 'Hammertime' over team radio. "Did you know MC Hammer is following me on Twitter," he says. "That's so cool!"

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We're live on BBC One and the TV console at the top of the page. We're kicking off with the BBC Sport F1 Awards 2014...

So here's the plan for today. Qualifying starts at 13:00 BST and will last an hour. With Caterham returning this weekend, five cars will get the boot in the first part of qualifying. The second will see another five kicked out. That leaves 10 to fight it out for the final pole position of the season. Suzi Perry and the team will be live in four minutes. You have been warned.

For those joining us for the first time this weekend, Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 17 points with a maximum of 50 available in tomorrow's race, courtesy of Bernie Ecclestone's double points rule.

If Hamilton finishes second, even if Rosberg wins, will be enough to clinch world title number two, six years after his first. For all the title permutations, check this out.

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The time for practising is over. Let's get down to business.

Welcome to live coverage of qualifying for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina.

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When it has come to race days this season, Lewis Hamilton has blown his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg out of the water, with 10 victories to his title rival's five. But Rosberg has had the upper hand on Saturdays with 10 pole positions to Hamilton's seven.

Will Hamilton care if he gets beaten to pole again this afternoon? Probably, because he always want to win. But does he need pole? It's not a prerequisite, as second place in Sunday's race, no matter where Rosberg finishes, will be enough to win the title.

And regardless of what he may say publically - for a Formula 1 driver winning the title is what really matters.

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Everybody ready for Desert Duel Part I? We've been waiting all year for this. Lewis Hamilton v Nico Rosberg for the final pole position of the year. Who will gain the crucial advantage ahead of the main event tomorrow? It's too close to call. Join me from 12:00 GMT. See you then. Mega fever.

So here's the plan for the rest of the day, folks. Hit the Red Button now and you'll see the legendary Murray Walker in action as he runs through some classic Formula 1 title deciders. That runs until 12:05 GMT. You then have five minutes until Suzi Perry and the team hit your screens on BBC One and the video console at the top of this page. By then, I'll be back live from 12:00.

So after Lewis Hamilton took the spoils on Friday, Nico Rosberg hits back this morning with an impressively committed and quick lap. I'd say that sets things up rather nicely for the pole position battle later today.

"Rosberg's run on the super-soft tyre was blinding there."

Arsenal and Germany striker Lukas Podolski: Go Nico! U can make it! Like we did it in BRA.

1) Rosberg 2) Hamilton 3) Massa 4) Alonso 5) Vettel 6) Button 7) Ricciardo 8) Bottas 9) Kvyat 10) Raikkonen

11) Magnussen 12) Vergne 13) Perez 14) Hulkenberg 15) Gutierrez 16) Maldonado 17) Grosjean 18) Sutil 19) Kobayashi 20) Stevens

Lewis Hamilton goes quickest in the first and second sector, but he makes a mistake in the final sector and remains in second, three tenths off the pace set by Nico Rosberg.

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Nico Rosberg is out on the super-soft tyres and goes quickest with a 1:41.424. His Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton has no answer to that and slots into second, 0.464 seconds off the pace.

Felipe Massa goes quickest with a 1:42.429, two tenths quicker than pace-setter Nico Rosberg, who did that lap on the slower soft tyres.

Massa's team-mate Valtteri Bottas pops into fifth, three tenths off the pace after making a couple of mistakes.

Mercedes: Each driver dissecting both their own and each others' laps. T1 seems to be the main differentiator thus far - 10mins to go.

With 12 minutes remaining, here's how they stand:

1) Ros 2) Alo 3) Ham 4) Bot 5) Mas 6) Vet 7) But 8) Ric 9) Rai 10) Kvy

11) Ver 12) Per 13) Hul 14) Mal 15) Mag 16) Gut 17) Sut 18) Gro 19) Kob 20) Ste

Expect this to change as most haven't done their super-soft tyre runs yet.

Right then, time for this session to get interesting. Williams' Felipe Massa is the first of the frontrunners to put on the super-soft tyres for his qualifying-simulation run.

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The Brazilian is told to get straight into the run and do three timed laps.

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"Red Bull looked decently close to Mercedes on race pace on Friday but neither driver seemed to have much confidence they could challenge them, nor did they appear to have the inclination. 'I don't really want to interfere with Mercedes in the race,' said Sebastian Vettel (pictured).

"'It would be nice to race them and beat them, but I think realistically they are a bit far away.' Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, right behind Vettel in fifth place in second practice, said: 'Mercedes are … yeah I won't even mention them! But anyway, they're fighting for the title so we'll let them go, but as for the rest it looks pretty tight as always for third place.'"

Sydney River: Wonder what colour trousers Eddie & DC will be sporting this weekend? Where does one actually buy yellow or pink trousers?

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If Nico Rosberg wins the title on Sunday, only two other drivers in the sport's history will have started more grands prix before winning their first World Championship.

Those two drivers are both British - Jenson Button (who won the 2009 world title after 169 starts) and Nigel Mansell (pictured, who triumphed in 1992 after 176 starts).

Matt: F1 needs Lewis to win this championship to make right the questionable decision on double points!! By far the superior driver.

It's a glorious day in Abu Dhabi, but it's worth noting that conditions will be significantly different by the time qualifying comes around.

The floodlights will be on, as darkness falls, and crucially, the track temperature will be much lower than it is now. It'll be much warmer than it is in the UK, mind.

"There was a yawning chasm between Mercedes and the rest on Friday, but the expectation is that Williams will fill that on Saturday. They did not have the best of days. Cooling holes cut into the car's bodywork led to an unforeseen problem - a build up of pressure inside the bodywork that led to a sidepod being ripped off on Valtteri Bottas's car, an incident which would have been repeated with Felipe Massa had the Brazilian not spotted the beginnings of it and slowed down. That cost the team all of first practice, and in the second session neither driver was happy with his car. It was not, a Williams man grumbled, a good day."

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Fernando Alonso's session is over, the Spaniard has changed into his civvies and is sat at the back of the garage, sunglasses on, obviously.

His Ferrari team have decided to change the engine, following yesterday's problems, but it's within his allocation so he won't get a penalty.

That said, the team are keen to save mileage ahead of tomorrow's race, hence his early finish in this session.

Lewis Hamilton can't beat his team-mate this time around, the Mercedes driver slotting into third 0.128 seconds off the pace.

Here's how they stand: 1) Ros 2) Alo 3) Ham 4) Bot 5) Mas 6) Vet 7) But 8) Rai 9) Kvy 10) Ric

Nico Rosberg goes fastest on the soft tyres with a 1:42.635, 0.018 seconds quicker than Fernando Alonso, who set his lap on the super-softs.

It's been a quiet session for Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg so far, but they've both just headed out on the soft tyres. Thirty minutes gone, but 30 still remain.

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Adrian Sutil, whose says he has a contract for next season even though his Sauber team have already announced the signing of Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr, has had a hugely disappointing season.

The German has the most retirements during 2014 with seven and is facing his first campaign without scoring a point since 2008.

Worse still for Sauber, the Swiss team are facing the first pointless season in their existence as an F1 constructor since making their debut back in 1993.

Sutil is currently 16th fastest, 2.9 seconds off the pace and three tenths slower than his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez.

Vivienne Marcheline: Its has to be Lewis!! No question! He earned it throughout the #F1 Season!! His reward is the #Champion

Matt: Rosberg pole, Lewis win.

Lisa Holmes: Depends if Mercedes let Lewis Hamilton down or Nico's dirty driving comes into play!! If all is fair, it's Hamilton's for sure!

Here's an interesting stat for you - the driver who tops this session has only taken pole position six times in 18 races so far this season.

Just six drivers have topped the times in FP3 - Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas.

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Max Chilton is in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix paddock, perhaps hoping to do a deal to keep him in the sport next season. The Briton is without a drive after Marussia went into administration and subsequently folded.

Mercedes: Opening FP3 runs complete - no times set but all in working order. Feedback and setup tweakery before we let 'em at it...

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Nice touch from Red Bull, who have placed a giant sticker on the garage floor to thank Sebastian Vettel for his efforts. The German, who is leaving the team for Ferrari at the end of the season, won four titles and 38 races with the team over a five-year period.

He's currently second quickest, eight tenths off the pace set by Fernando Alonso, who completed his lap of 1:42.653 on the faster super-soft tyres. That looks like it was his qualifying run.

Phil Slocombe: Lewis Hamilton looks unfazed by the fact this is the biggest race for the championship; he has put the pressure on Nico during FP 1& 2.

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The final race of the season is understandably front-page news in the Gulf, with Gulf News carrying an interview with the BBC's David Coulthard, who believes Lewis Hamilton would be a deserving winner of the title because of his superior record (see 09:45 entry) to his rival and team-mate Nico Rosberg.

It is also the dominant story in a lot of the British newspapers, with the Independent asking if Lewis Hamilton will be Britain's unappreciated double world champion, while the Daily Mail's Martin Samuel says "Hamilton is cold and spiky, but that's why he is a winner".

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Lotus: Safe to say that it won't rain this session.

Fernando Alonso's time of 1:44.581 is currently good enough for top spot. Daniil Kvyat is second, three tenths off the pace, with Jean-Eric Vergne third and Jenson Button fourth.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg headed back to the pits without setting a lap time.

"There was a lot of attention on McLaren on Friday here, the team bringing a new Red Bull-inspired front wing as they look to 2015. Kevin Magnussen ran it and professed that he 'thinks it's positive for the future'. The wing is a different approach to aerodynamics than McLaren have pursued in recent years, in that it aims to produce more consistent downforce, so the car is more usable, rather than higher peak downforce but with the risk of instability. It worked exactly as the team expected, Magnussen said.

"But they will not use it again this weekend as, on the current car for which it was not designed, it is slower. It was a terribly fractured day for Jenson Button, with the first session lost to a suspension problem and half the second to a hydraulics issue, he does not have the time to experiment with new parts. Button was doing his best to keep smiling, though. Asked if there were any positives from the day, he said: 'There's a good selection of ice-creams and I liked my coffees, so that's a positive, I guess.'"

Title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are out and about. Soft tyres are the order of the day for now. Expect to see the super-softs later in the session.

Fernando Alonso is the first man to set a timed lap, the Ferrari driver keen to make up for lost time after failing to set a lap time in second practice on Friday following an electrical problem.

The final, er, final practice of 2014 is under way with the Williams of Valtteri Bottas the first man out under bright blue skies.

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The Abu Dhabi GP organisers know how to put on a show. As well as the on-track action, a series of concerts close out each day. Yesterday, DJ Armin van Buuren was in action, with The Who and Pharrell Williams set to take the stage over the next couple of days.

"Pole position would mean a lot to both Mercedes drivers this weekend - but who is going to get it? Nico Rosberg will want it because it gives him the best possible chance to win the race - which he realistically needs to do to have a chance of winning the championship. Lewis Hamilton will want it for pride reasons - he has been out-qualified by his team-mate this season overall - and because he wants to go out in style, by taking the title with a win, rather than following Rosberg home. Although he has hinted he will do exactly that if necessary. Who is favourite to start at the front of the grid?

"After Friday, you would have to say Hamilton. He edged Rosberg for fastest lap in both sessions, was quicker on low fuel, and by a much bigger margin on high fuel (although this was probably too big a gap to be properly representative, as something like 0.5secs a lap). He was working the tyres less - uniquely suffering front degradation when everyone else was struggling with the rears. And he simply looked more impressive, especially in the final sector of the lap here, where he has always been spectacularly good. 'I always love driving this track,' Hamilton said, 'but the car is the best I have ever driven here. It is really fantastic. It is very close between us and I am just working away to chip away at it.'"

So here we are, at the final race of the season. And what a season it has been. Where has the time gone, eh? Well now seems like a good time to reflect on the best moments of 2014. The BBC F1 team have done it already - and you can watch their memories here. Fire over your thoughts via the #bbcf1 hashtag, texting 81111 (UK only) or leave a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Carl Dolan: Excitement mounts here in Abu Dhabi #bbcf1 - unfortunately means I am missing the #Bromsgrove Xmas light switch on with my family.

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In a season where 450 points have been up for grabs, just 17 separate Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Who deserves the world title? Well here are the stats - I'll let you decide.

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Mercedes: Chairman Niki up early to oversee the morning fire up!

So final practice will kick off at 10:00 GMT with live coverage on BBC Two, the video console at the top of the page and on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. That session will last an hour and provide the teams with one final chance to tinker with their motors. We'll also see drivers complete a qualifying-simulation run, on the super-soft tyres, ahead of the final qualifying session of the year.

"The sun is shining as it does on, well, just about every day here in the Gulf and the stage is set for a fantastic showdown in qualifying as the sun sets on Yas Marina later on. The atmosphere has been building through the weekend, and tension is mounting as the decisive moment of this particularly intense and focused title battle approaches.

Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg? The two Mercedes team-mates have one more hour of practice, starting at 1000 GMT, to hone their cars ahead of qualifying. Friday was advantage Hamilton, by the smallest of margins. But who has done what Hamilton described as their 'homework' best overnight. The next hour or so will provide vital clues."

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Pressure? What pressure? It's 'just another weekend' according to Lewis Hamilton, who along with title rival Nico Rosberg plays down their day with destiny.

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Hello and welcome to the penultimate day of the Formula 1 World Championship. After eight months and 18 races, we have arrived in Abu Dhabi with the title fight still alive and kicking.

Lewis Hamilton leads Nico Rosberg by 17 points. Ordinarily, that would mean the Briton needs just a sixth place finish tomorrow to guarantee the title. But this isn't an ordinary race. Oh no.

We have double points, leaving 50 points on the table for the winner. That means Hamilton needs second, if Rosberg wins. So folks, it's all to play for.

Lewis Hamilton nailed it on Friday, laying down a marker as he headed both practice sessions. Can he carry that momentum into final practice and more crucially qualifying later today?

AFPCopyright: AFP