Max Verstappen claimed a dominant pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, effectively setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating title decider. Championship leader Lando Norris secured second place, maintaining his position to win his first drivers’ title. The dynamics heading into the race are charged, with Verstappen trailing Norris by just 12 points, adding significant pressure to both drivers on Sunday.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, demonstrating his prowess, delivered two laps that were more than sufficient for pole at the Yas Marina Circuit. However, it was the McLaren driver Norris who crucially edged out his teammate Oscar Piastri by a mere three hundredths of a second, illustrating just how close the competition is at the top. In essence, Norris will guarantee his maiden title if he finishes in the top three during the race, but he might still come away victorious if he manages a lower placement, provided Verstappen fails to clinch the win.
Piastri’s hopes of clinching his first title now hang by a thread, as the Australian faces a daunting task having to overcome a 16-point deficit to Norris while also leapfrogging Verstappen. The scenarios ahead are intricate, and the strategies from the teams are sure to play a pivotal role. Should Verstappen maintain his lead at the race’s start, he could use this position to strategically back Norris and Piastri into a challenging pack behind them, effectively altering the battle dynamics.
Verstappen expressed his satisfaction and determination after securing pole. “We found a bit more lap time and I am incredibly happy to be in first,” he stated. His focus on maximizing performance with the car during qualifying seemed to pay off, showcasing the team’s effective strategy and execution.
Meanwhile, George Russell emerged as a considerable threat to the McLarens, taking fourth place for Mercedes. Charles Leclerc followed closely in fifth for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton’s struggles this season continued, culminating in a disappointing third consecutive Q1 exit, placing him 16th on the grid as he navigates through a challenging campaign with the Italian team.
Yuki Tsunoda, who announced earlier this week that he would be losing his Red Bull seat for the upcoming season, starts in 10th position after seemingly sacrificing his own chance for a better grid position in a bid to support Verstappen’s performance during qualifying, providing critical assistance by offering a tow during the final phase of the session.
Verstappen’s return to contention for the title has been bolstered by pivotal McLaren errors during the earlier legs of the season-ending triple-header. Nonetheless, on this occasion, the reigning world champion displayed a level of performance that truly seemed to set him apart from the field. Throughout the weekend, Norris had appeared to have an edge over Verstappen during practice sessions, yet, as has often been the case this season, the Dutchman managed to tap into an extra level of performance when it mattered most.
By conserving an additional set of fresh soft tires during the preliminary Q2 session, Verstappen capitalized on this advantage to deliver a remarkable first flying lap in Q3. This strategy, paired with Tsunoda’s slipstreaming assistance, propelled him three tenths ahead of Piastri, with Norris lagging a couple of tenths further back, particularly since the McLarens had already worn out some of their tire performance in Q2.
Though both Norris and Piastri pushed for improvements, it was Norris who managed to clock in a slightly faster lap under immense pressure. However, Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of excellence was underscored by nearly gaining another tenth in his final run, further solidifying his dominant position for the evening.
“It’s tough. Max did a good job so congrats to him,” Norris commented after the session. “We did everything we could. I think my lap was pretty good, I was pretty happy. Of course, disappointed to not be on pole for the final weekend but we were just not fast enough today, so we will try and do it tomorrow.” The stage is set for a thrilling showdown, where strategies, teamwork, and sheer racing talent will collide in what promises to be a captivating title-deciding race.
Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Timesheet
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:22.207 |
| 2) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.201 |
| 3) Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.230 |
| 4) George Russell | Mercedes | +0.438 |
| 5) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.523 |
| 6) Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.695 |
| 7) Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | +0.697 |
| 8) Esteban Ocon | Haas | +0.706 |
| 9) Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +0.865 |
| 10) Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | No time set |
| Knocked out in Q2 | ||
| 11) Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:23.041 |
| 12) Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:23.042 |
| 13) Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:23.077 |
| 14) Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:23.080 |
| 15) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:23.097 |
| Knocked out in Q1 | ||
| 16) Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:23.394 |
| 17) Alex Albon | Williams | 1:23.416 |
| 18) Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 1:23.450 |
| 19) Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:23.468 |
| 20) Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:23.890 |
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