A sixth consecutive pole position for Nico Rosberg in the final race of the 2015 season. Having been very close all weekend between the Mercedes pair, it was Rosberg who came out on top. Further back, there were surprises in Q1, when Vettel failed to make it into the next session and Alonso was also pushed out. Grosjean also had a tough qualifying, with reliability issues ending his session early.
Q1 saw Mercedes setting the pace as usual. However, a miscommunication regarding Vettel’s position meant that he was knocked out in the first session. The Force India’s put in an impressive performance and Perez was third. Button made it into to Q2 but Alonso failed once again. Also out were Ericsson, Stevens and Merhi.
Hamilton was fastest in Q2, but for Grosjean it was a disappointing session. He had to return to the pits with a gearbox issue and they attempted to fix it. Having gone out on a lap he had to pull over so set no time in the session. He will start 15th. Also failing to make it into Q3 were Verstappen and Button, pushed out in the closing stages. Maldonado and Nasr were 13th and 14th, so also didn’t make it through.
In the final session of qualifying, it was Rosberg initially fastest with Hamilton and Perez second and third. Hamilton improved on his second lap and was able to beat Rosberg’s time, only to be beaten as his teammate completed his lap. Once again, Rosberg beat Hamilton to pole. Behind, Raikkonen put in a good lap for third with Perez an mpressive 4th for Force India. Ricciardo was fifth, followed by Bottas, Hulkenberg and Massa. The final positions in the top ten were taken by Kvyat and Sainz.
If no penalties are added, tomorrow’s grid will be: Rosberg, Hamilton; Raikkonen, Perez; Ricciardo, Bottas; Hulkenberg, Massa; Kvyat, Sainz; Verstappen, Button; Maldonado, Nasr; Grosjean, Vettel; Alonso, Ericsson; Merhi, Stevens.