Motorsport: Hartley off the pace in Abu Dhabi

Brendon Hartley on track during practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's Brendon Hartley has qualified last for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old was well off the pace and finished the best part of half a second behind 19th placed Marcus Ericsson's Sauber. It negates the grid penalty he has to serve for taking yet another replacement power unit in his struggling Toro Rosso.

His first flying lap was "scruffy" but he improved on the second lap but couldn't improve his time.

Despite battling engine issues in all of his four Grands Prix so far Hartley has been able to demonstrate reasonable pace but really struggled on the Yas Marina circuit.

"I'm not happy, that wasn't a good session for me," Hartley said. "We've been lacking a bit of pace all weekend on both cars, but in particular mine.

"On the positive side, all of this is good preparation for next year.

"All we have to do is push as much as possible tomorrow."

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas clinched pole position by .172s from his world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel qualified third with the Red Bull of Australian Daniel Ricciardo fourth.

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will share the third row.

Hartley's Toro Rosso teammate Pierre Gasly qualified 17th and out-performed the Kiwi throughout each of the three practice sessions this weekend too.