Qualifying Report - Verstappen claims vital Abu Dhabi pole

Max Verstappen
© Red Bull

Max Verstappen secured a crucial pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting himself up with the best possible starting point for Sunday’s championship decider as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the remaining front-row positions. The Red Bull driver produced a composed performance across qualifying and delivered a 1m22.207s on his final Q3 attempt, finding 0.09s over his previous benchmark to ensure he would lead the field away.

The early Q3 runs had already tilted in Verstappen’s favour when his opening 1m22.295s appeared strong enough for pole on its own. The McLarens, running slightly used softs carried over from Q2, were initially adrift, although Piastri held a slender advantage over Norris before the final laps. Once both drivers switched to fresh tyres, Norris improved to 1m22.408s, edging Piastri by 0.029s as the Australian posted a 1m22.437s. Despite their gains, neither could match Verstappen’s pace, leaving the three title contenders arranged tightly at the head of the grid.

George Russell claimed fourth with a 1m22.645s, wrestling a lively Mercedes through both attempts despite a snap at Turn 14 and a tank-slapper at Turn 16. Charles Leclerc completed the top five with a 1m22.730s, later admitting he was “surprised” to escape Q2 after nearly abandoning his lap several times due to unpredictable rear grip.

Fernando Alonso’s 1m22.902s put him sixth, narrowly ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, who reached Q3 for the fifth time this year and recorded a 1m22.904s in another assured performance. Esteban Ocon, having finally achieved a braking balance he trusted, secured eighth with a 1m22.913s for Haas. Isack Hadjar continued his strong late-season form with ninth on 1m23.072s, while Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10 after assisting Verstappen with a tow.

Oliver Bearman missed Q3 by just 0.007s, his 1m22.937s nonetheless good enough for 11th and ahead of Carlos Sainz, who fell 0.001s short of the Haas driver. Liam Lawson was pushed out of the top 10 by Hadjar, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli struggled in the final sector and will start 14th. Further back, Lewis Hamilton dropped out in Q1 for the third straight race, slipping to 19th after late improvements elsewhere.

Williams’ Alex Albon briefly climbed to seventh but tumbled to 17th as the track evolved, while Sauber’s Bortoleto beat Nico Hulkenberg in their qualifying head-to-head as the German finished 18th. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto completed the order after the latter lost two laps to track limits.