Formula 1 2025 defending champion Max Verstappen will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on pole position at the Yas Marina Circuit, a track where track position has proven pivotal going into the twilight race on Sunday.
Dominant all the way through the final Q3 qualifying session of the season, the Dutchman went quickest in both of his outings, confirming Red Bull Racing’s strong pace all weekend thus far.
In his post-qualifying interview, the 28-year-old outlined: “We found a bit more lap time, and I’m just incredibly happy to be in first. That’s the only thing we can do, we can control, to maximise what we have and what we can with the car, and we definitely did that in qualifying.”
Asked about his chances for the race, he asserted, “Let’s see what we can do. I will try to win the race, but also in the back of my mind, we want to try to score a lot of points and win the championship.
“We need a little bit of luck from what is happening behind us.”
He set a flying lap time of 1:22.207s on a set of soft tyres with championship leader Lando Norris finishing 0.201s adrift of the pole to lock out the front row with McLaren.
If Verstappen emerges victorious and Norris finishes fourth or lower, he will be crowned champion for the fifth time at the pinnacle of motorsport.
For his part, the Briton is the favorite to claim the Driver’s Championship for the first time in the series on Sunday, if he steps onto the podium, regardless of the position.
After qualifying, he said, “We did everything we could. I think my lap was pretty good; I was pretty happy. Of course, disappointed not to be on pole for the final weekend, but we just weren’t fast enough today. We’ll have to try and do it tomorrow.”
As of today, he leads Verstappen by 12 points and teammate Oscar Piastri by 16, with 25 points at stake in Abu Dhabi.
Also in the title contention, Piastri secured the third fastest time and will line up alongside Mercedes’ George Russell, who, despite a big slide at the final corner, crossed the finish line in fourth.
The McLaren racer outlined: “Just not quite quick enough today, but it sets up for a pretty exciting day tomorrow.”
“I think Max is looking very quick in the long runs this weekend and clearly very quick over one lap. Let’s see how much pace is a factor tomorrow,” added the Australian.
Scuderia Ferrari will start tomorrow’s grand prix from fifth on the grid with Charles Leclerc, a huge effort by the Prancing Horse driver, who will have the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso by his side in the third row.
The Monegasque teammate, Lewis Hamilton, could not advance to Q2 for the third round in a row, a disappointing result for the seven-time champion.
FIA Provisional Qualifying Classification:
