Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Verstappen is 12 points behind Norris in the championship, so he needs a win and some luck to claim his fifth straight title. Piastri is 16 points back, and his chances are low unless there is a major upset.
Verstappen took pole by 0.201 seconds over Norris, marking his 48th career pole and fifth at Yas Marina Circuit. “We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Verstappen said. “I’m going to try and win, but I need luck with what’s going on behind me.” Norris was disappointed but remains focused on the race.
George Russell qualified fourth for Mercedes, while Charles Leclerc took fifth for Ferrari. Fernando Alonso finished sixth for Aston Martin, Gabriel Bortoleto was seventh for Sauber, and Esteban Ocon placed eighth for Haas. Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls is ninth, and Verstappen’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda will start tenth after his Q3 time was deleted.
Further down the order, Oliver Bearman is 11th, Carlos Sainz 12th, and Liam Lawson 13th. Kimi Antonelli and Lance Stroll are 14th and 15th. Lewis Hamilton struggled again, was eliminated in Q1, and will start 16th. Alex Albon, Nico Hülkenberg, Pierre Gasly, and Franco Colapinto complete the grid.
Sunday’s race promises to be exciting. Verstappen will aim for the win, Norris is hoping for a podium, and Piastri is looking for an unexpected opportunity.
Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Top 10
1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:22.207
2. Lando Norris – McLaren – +0.201
3. Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.230
4. George Russell – Mercedes – +0.438
5. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.523
6. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.695
7. Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber – +0.697
8. Esteban Ocon – Haas – +0.706
9. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.865
10. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull
