Max on Pole,All Eyes on Abu Dhabi Finale
Three title contenders arrived in Abu Dhabi with a chance to claim the crown: Norris led the standings, Verstappen trailed by 12 points, and Piastri by 16. The season finale promised a tense conclusion, as each driver aimed to finish the year on a high note.
Qualifying played a decisive role in this battle: overtaking at Yas Marina is notoriously difficult, and in seven of the nine races since the summer break, victory went to the pole-sitter. In Q1, Russell set the fastest time (1:23.247), while Gasly and Colapinto had their laps deleted for exceeding track limits. On the Soft tyres, Piastri topped the timesheets with a 1:22.605, with Verstappen three tenths behind and Norris nearly six. Hamilton once again failed to advance.
In Q2, all drivers ran on Soft tyres, and Russell’s 1:22.730 remained unbeaten despite his rivals’ attempts.
The climax came in Q3, where Max Verstappen secured pole position in Abu Dhabi his eighth of the season and the 48th of his career.
The starting grid for Sunday: Verstappen and Norris on the front row, Piastri and Russell on the second,Leclerc and Alonso on the third.
