Max Verstappen outfoxed both McLarens in the decisive Q3 session at Yas Marina, taking pole position ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. George Russell claimed fourth place, finishing just ahead of a determined Charles Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli was eliminated in Q2, while Lewis Hamilton suffered another nightmare by dropping out in Q1 for the third consecutive time.
Max Verstappen once again put pressure on McLaren, as the four-time world champion delivered the 48th pole position of his Formula 1 career. It is his eighth pole of the season and his fifth at Abu Dhabi. The Dutch driver saved a fresh set of soft tyres in Q2, allowing him to enter Q3 with two new sets available. In his first attempt, Verstappen benefited from a powerful tow from Yuki Tsunoda, but he proved to be even faster on the lap completed entirely on his own. He stopped the clock at 1’22”207, just 78 thousandths slower than the circuit’s all-time record.
One thing is certain: Verstappen must recover 12 points from Norris in the title fight, but starting from pole gives him a significant advantage. Norris only needs a third-place finish to clinch the championship, meaning the current P2 starting position is more than enough for McLaren. Behind him, his teammate Oscar Piastri will start third, completing a strong front group for the Woking team.
The gap between Verstappen and the two papaya cars surprised many, as it exceeded two tenths. Yas Marina was expected to suit McLaren particularly well, but Verstappen overturned expectations. The sharp drop in temperatures worked in favour of the RB21, with seven degrees less than FP3. Verstappen made perfect use of the conditions. The Red Bull engineers were also right in choosing not to load the rear wing further, as the car found the necessary grip at the crucial moment.
McLaren appeared slightly below expectations, but all three championship contenders still have a concrete chance of fighting for the title in Sunday’s race. Nothing is decided yet, especially since even a victory may not be enough for Verstappen if Norris finishes on the podium.
George Russell completed the second row with a time over four tenths slower than Verstappen. The Mercedes driver had already reached the limit of the W16 in Q2. When he attempted to push beyond that limit, he nearly lost control of the car at the final corner. Russell had asked the team to start behind Verstappen in order to benefit from a tow, but that attempt did not bring the desired result.
Charles Leclerc once again had to fight hard with a very complicated Ferrari SF-25. The Monegasque driver produced yet another exceptional lap, placing the car in an impressive fifth position — far above the real potential of the car. Ferrari is eager to end a disappointing season and focus entirely on the 678 project. Leclerc still managed to put the car where it could realistically be expected, as the fourth-fastest team.
Fernando Alonso delivered a remarkable effort to take sixth place with the Aston Martin. The Spaniard beat Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber by just two thousandths, while Esteban Ocon placed his Haas in an unexpected eighth position.
More was expected from Isack Hadjar with the Racing Bulls, while Yuki Tsunoda — brilliant in Q3 — dedicated himself completely to helping Verstappen. Tsunoda sacrificed his first attempt entirely to give his team leader a perfect slipstream. A small mistake in his second attempt left him without a time, but the Japanese driver, set to leave the Red Bull program, fulfilled his role perfectly.
Oliver Bearman missed out on Q3 by only seven thousandths with the second Haas. Carlos Sainz did not fare any better: the Spaniard, driving the best of the Williams cars, lost time in the third sector and ended up behind Bearman by a single thousandth. Liam Lawson also failed to maximise his potential with the Racing Bulls, finishing in thirteenth place, just ahead of an underperforming Kimi Antonelli, who lacked rear grip. Antonelli had been two tenths faster in Q1, indicating he had the pace for a much stronger result. Lance Stroll closed the Q2 group, unable to exploit the potential of the AMR25 as effectively as Alonso.
Lewis Hamilton suffered his fourth consecutive elimination in Q1 — one of which occurred in Sprint Qualifying — as the seven-time world champion’s negative streak continued. He will start only 16th in the Ferrari after missing out by seven thousandths. Hamilton still pays the price for his crash in FP3, where he damaged the car by closing the DRS too late, hitting the front wing and the right corner. It is not a fortunate period for Hamilton, who continues to struggle with the Ferrari SF-25 and sees his situation worsen as the season advances. Thankfully for him, the season ends here.
Alexander Albon’s elimination with the Williams also came as a surprise. The Anglo-Thai driver had the potential to escape Q1, just like Nico Hulkenberg, who had been impressive with the Sauber until it came down to the final timed lap.
The grid is completed by the two Alpine drivers, with Pierre Gasly ahead of his teammate by four tenths. Both drivers under Flavio Briatore’s management had their first-run times deleted for track limits.
Q3 results
1. M. Verstappen – Red Bull – 1’22.207 – Soft
2. L. Norris – McLaren – 1’22.408 – +0.201 – Soft
3. O. Piastri – McLaren – 1’22.437 – +0.230 – Soft
4. G. Russell – Mercedes – 1’22.645 – +0.438 – Soft
5. C. Leclerc – Ferrari – 1’22.730 – +0.523 – Soft
6. F. Alonso – Aston Martin – 1’22.902 – +0.695 – Soft
7. G. Bortoleto – Sauber – 1’22.904 – +0.697 – Soft
8. E. Ocon – Haas – 1’22.913 – +0.706 – Soft
9. I. Hadjar – Racing Bulls – 1’23.072 – +0.865 – Soft
10. Y. Tsunoda – Red Bull – no time – Soft
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