Max Verstappen claimed a dominant pole place for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix however championship chief Lando Norris took second to stay in place to win his first drivers’ title.
Crimson Bull’s Verstappen, who trails Norris by 12 factors going into Sunday’s title-deciding race, delivered two laps ok for pole on the Yas Marina Circuit, however the Brit crucially edged out his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri by three hundredths of a second.
Norris will assure his maiden title if he finishes within the high three on Sunday, however might additionally triumph with a lesser consequence within the occasion Verstappen didn’t win the race.
Piastri’s already faint hopes of sealing his first title suffered a blow, with the Australian prone to require main misfortune for his rivals to overturn a 16-point deficit to Norris and to additionally leapfrog Verstappen.
Ought to Verstappen retain the lead firstly, the Dutchman might doubtlessly use his place to again Norris and Piastri into the pack behind them.
George Russell is the most certainly candidate to problem the McLarens from behind after taking fourth for Mercedes.
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Lewis Hamilton was knocked out of Q1 for the ultimate time this season throughout qualifying on the Abu Dhabi GP.
Charles Leclerc was fifth for Ferrari, whereas Lewis Hamilton’s woeful finish to his debut marketing campaign with the Italian staff continued as he made a 3rd successive Q1 exit to depart him sixteenth on the grid.
Yuki Tsunoda, who earlier this week discovered he’ll lose his Crimson Bull seat subsequent yr, will begin tenth after showing to sacrifice his personal grid place to help his team-mate Verstappen with a tow throughout the remaining a part of the session.
Extra to comply with…
Sky Sports activities F1’s Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Sunday December 7
9.10am: F2 Characteristic Race
11am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP build-up*
1pm: THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX*
3pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP response*
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
The 2025 Formulation 1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities F1 this weekend with Sunday’s race at 1pm (build-up from 11am). Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
