Max Verstappen delivered under pressure once again, storming to pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a blistering 1:22.207 in Q3. The Red Bull star outpaced both McLarens as Lando Norris qualified second (+0.201s) and Oscar Piastri third, setting up a blockbuster three-way showdown for the World Championship on Sunday.
While Piastri topped Q1 and George Russell led Q2, Verstappen dominated when it mattered most, improving on his opening Q3 effort to secure a crucial front-row advantage.
Russell will start fourth for Mercedes, followed by Charles Leclerc in fifth and Fernando Alonso in sixth for Aston Martin. Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto impressed with P7, with Esteban Ocon, Isack Hadjar, and Yuki Tsunoda completing the top 10.
Further down the order, Haas rookie Ollie Bearman narrowly missed Q2, with Carlos Sainz only managing P12 after last week’s podium. Liam Lawson, Kimi Antonelli, and Lance Stroll rounded out the midfield.
The shock of Q1 came from Lewis Hamilton, who suffered another early exit after his FP3 crash and will line up P16. Williams’ Alex Albon starts P17, with Nico Hülkenberg in P18, and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto closing the field.
As the top three title contenders lock out the first three positions, the stage is set for one of the most dramatic championship deciders in recent F1 history.
