Abu Dhabi GP qualifying: Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris to pole to set up thrilling F1 title finale | F1 News
Max Verstappen took a dominant pole position for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but championship leader Lando Norris took second place to stay in position to win his first drivers’ title.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who trails Norris by 12 points heading into Sunday’s title-deciding race, put in two laps good enough to take pole at the Yas Marina circuit, but the Briton edged McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by three hundredths of a second.
Norris will guarantee his first title if he finishes in the top three on Sunday, but could also triumph with a lesser result if Verstappen fails to win the race.
Piastri’s already dim hopes of sealing his first title have suffered a major blow, with the Australian likely needing a major misfortune for his rivals to overtake a 16-point deficit on Norris and also overtake Verstappen.
If Verstappen retains the lead at the start, the Dutchman could potentially use his position to support Norris and Piastri in the peloton behind them.
George Russell is the most likely candidate to challenge the McLarens from behind after taking fourth place for Mercedes.
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Lewis Hamilton was knocked out of Q1 for the final time this season during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP.
Charles Leclerc finished fifth for Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton’s dismal finish to his debut campaign with the Italian team continued as he made a third straight Q1 exit to leave him 16th on the grid.
Yuki Tsunoda, who discovered earlier this week he would lose his Red Bull seat next year, will start 10th after appearing to sacrifice his own grid position to support teammate Verstappen with a tow during the latter part of the session.
What’s next…
Sky Sports F1 Abu Dhabi GP Schedule
Sunday December 7
9:10 a.m.: F2 featured race
11:00 a.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: preparation for the Abu Dhabi GP*
1 p.m.: THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX*
3:00 p.m.: Checkered flag: reaction from the Abu Dhabi GP*
4 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2025 Formula 1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend with Sunday’s race at 1 p.m. (prep from 11 a.m.). Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
