Let’s break down how Max Verstappen snatched pole position from his title rival Lando Norris through a detailed telemetry analysis of the Abu Dhabi qualifying session. The final Saturday of the year immediately delivered tension, with the three championship contenders fighting for pole in an extremely tight session. Even though McLaren looked clearly ahead throughout free practice, the top spot on the grid ended up once again in the hands of Red Bull. Max Verstappen pieced together an extraordinary lap, helped by a much more dialled-in RB compared to the start of the weekend, securing pole by two tenths of a second. Through the study of telemetry data, we can clearly pinpoint where car number 1 built his advantage on the final lap of Abu Dhabi qualifying: mainly under braking, with masterful use of his left foot in two decisive braking zones.
Looking at the chart, the first sector shows the two drivers running essentially neck and neck. The first crucial point, however, appears in Turn 6 at the end of the opening straight. The pole-sitter lifts off the throttle several metres later than his rival, delaying the deceleration phase. This also results in higher cornering speed through the following chicane, which Verstappen manages to control without compromising the racing line. This move allows him to lock in a three-tenths advantage.
A similar attempt to delay brake application occurs at the end of the second straight. This time, however, the world champion cannot complete the move successfully, as he is forced to run wide in Turn 9, a critical corner for rear stability. As a result, he gives up a tenth of a second to Norris in this phase.
Soon after comes the second key braking zone at Turn 12, one of the most delicate sections of the circuit. Here the braking phase begins with the car still partially loaded laterally due to the long right-hander that precedes it, and it ends with combined braking because of the upcoming 90-degree corner. Verstappen, however, manages once again to brake aggressively and later than Norris while keeping the RB stable on exit, gaining another two tenths.
From that point onwards, McLaren’s main strength becomes clear: the ability to keep the tyres in the ideal operating window until the end of the lap. The last sector of the Yas Marina Circuit is extremely technical and particularly demanding in terms of mechanical grip, and the MCL package excels here. Nevertheless, the margin Verstappen had already built was enough to secure pole position, while the championship leader had to settle for second place.
Sunday’s race will tell a different story with full fuel loads and 58 laps of tyre life to manage, but on pure one-lap pace Verstappen reminded everyone why he has four championships already – and might be about to make it five.
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