Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, December 12th 2021.
Team Mercedes has come to Hamilton's back after an interesting reaction was let off by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix crowd following Saturday's qualifying session ahead of the pivotal final race.
The seven-time world champion has had to endure jeers at races this season, with the majority of F1 fans appearing to side with Max Verstappen's bid to win a maiden title.
In what has been billed as one of the greatest campaign finales in the sport's history, the pair will go into the last Grand Prix of the season level on points (369.5pts) after an epic battle that has ebbed and flowed throughout 2021.
However, it's the Red Bull man who will hold the advantage, having produced a stunning qualifying lap at the start of 3rd Qualification (Q3) to take pole position in front of his British rival. Verstappen's fastest lap, a 1:22.109, was posted at the start of Q3 when utilising the 'tow' from team-mate Sergio Perez, as the Mexican sacrificed his own lap to give the championship contender a slipstream and straight-line speed advantage.
Attempting to respond, Hamilton was half a second down on his first lap before improving slightly at the end of Q3, neither of his laps using the tow. However, highlighting Red Bull's improvement, Verstappen's second solo effort also would have been enough for pole before he backed out.
Furthermore, should neither driver finish the race, it will be Verstappen crowned champion by dint of having won more races during the season, fuelling the notion that the Dutchman will be prepared to collide with Hamilton on the track if he's forced to defend his lead.
The 24-year-old's feats in qualifying were greeted by huge roars from the packed stands at the Yas Marina, whilst Hamilton was booed as he tried to conduct his post-session interview.
His team however, attempted to jovially brush off the incident, tweeting "We think they were saying Boo-is. Boo-is," alongside a winking emoji.
Indeed, last month at Interlagos, Hamilton was bizarrely booed after qualifying as he spoke of his admiration for Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna, but went on to produce one of the greatest drives of his career as he came from 10th on the grid to take the chequered flag.
He's since won at Qatar and Saudi Arabia to set-up an epic showdown this weekend, and the race will be made yet more intriguing given both teams are adopting different tyre strategies. Hamilton will start on mediums, with Verstappen, who described being on pole as an "amazing feeling," on softs.
Behind them on the grid will be Lando Norris in the McLaren as, in another qualifying surprise, he beat the second Red Bull and Mercedes to third on the grid. Norris was eight tenths down on Verstappen but a few hundredths faster than Perez.
But in another blow on a disappointing day for Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas only managed sixth behind Carlos Sainz for Ferrari.