McLaren admits a Max Verstappen nightmare: Oscar Piastri fears Red Bull’s race pace in Abu Dhabi. McLaren struggles to match Max Verstappen’s pace in Abu Dhabi.

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Max Verstappen claimed the final pole position of the year, and McLaren together with Oscar Piastri are now on alert: “We are not fast enough, they are strong in the race as well.” Max Verstappen snatched pole position in Abu Dhabi, ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, leaving the orange cars worried. While the British driver knows that securing a podium is enough to become world champion, the Australian needs to hope for a small miracle. The MCL39 performs well at the Yas Marina Circuit, but Red Bull’s race pace has proven equally competitive.

The first real point of the weekend in the duel between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri goes to the British driver. The Australian closed in, looked strong throughout qualifying, but in the end had to settle for a frustrating third place. He will start behind his teammate, who secured second position, and behind Max Verstappen, McLaren’s true main rival.

It is difficult to say what Oscar Piastri’s exact role will be during Sunday’s Grand Prix. The Woking team has been clear: if necessary, team orders will be used, because the team cannot afford to lose this World Championship. It is obvious that the 24-year-old from Melbourne will have his opportunities — perhaps at the start, taking advantage of a possible fight between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris — but afterwards he will need to support the other MCL39.

Piastri: “Everything will depend on our pace”

The qualifying results are straightforward: Max Verstappen earned pole position with his lap of the year, stopping the clock at 1:22.207. Behind the Dutchman, Lando Norris beat Oscar Piastri by just a handful of thousandths: 1:22.408 for Norris against the Australian’s 1:22.437.

“I think it was a good lap,” commented Piastri after the session. “In Q1 I finally managed to find a good rhythm and I also did well in Q3. There was not much more performance to extract. We were not fast enough and Max [Verstappen] was very strong in the race simulations. We will have to wait until tomorrow and understand what our pace will be.”

McLaren came to Abu Dhabi as favourites. Now, after Max Verstappen’s masterclass, they head into the title decider knowing the threat from behind might be even bigger than anyone expected.