Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi is in Abu Dhabi, but the Brazilian is ineligible to stand in because he hasn't participated in at least one session this weekend.
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Nikita Mazepin, a Haas driver, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not compete in Sunday’s season-ending Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, according to his team. Reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi is in Abu Dhabi, but the Brazilian is ineligible to stand in for the Russian because he hasn’t participated in at least one session this weekend, according to Formula One organisers.
“Nikita is physically well, having been asymptomatic, but he will now self-isolate and adhere to the guidelines of the relevant public health authorities, with safety the ultimate priority for all parties concerned,” Haas said in a statement. “Uralkali Haas F1 Team wish Nikita well and we look forward to his return to the race track in early 2022 for pre-season testing,” the statement added.
As a result, Haas will run just one car, with Mick Schumacher, for Sunday’s race. A joint statement on Mazepin’s positive test added, “The procedures set out by the FIA and Formula 1 will ensure no wider impact on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
Max Verstappen took a commanding pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, aided by a tow from Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. The Dutchman clocked a brilliant 1m22.109s on his first run to take his 10th pole position of the season, with Hamilton finishing second 0.371s back and Lando Norris a surprise third.
In Q3, Red Bull sent Perez out first, ahead of Verstappen, with the Mexican towing Verstappen down the long straight before bailing out before Turn 9 and sacrificing his own lap. Verstappen took advantage of the boost to take provisional pole, with Hamilton locking up at the hairpin and finishing nearly half a second behind.
Mercedes sent their cars out first for the second run, but with Hamilton ahead of Bottas because they declined the chance to try a tow. Hamilton improved, but he still trailed in all three sectors and instead start on the dirty side of the front row alongside his title rival in P2.
Hamilton, like teammate Bottas, will start on the more durable medium tyre, which should allow him to run further into the race before stopping. The Red Bulls, on the other hand, will start on soft tyres, with Verstappen switching to them after flat-spotting his medium tyres in Q2.
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