Max Verstappen has once again proven that he is the master of qualifying by securing pole position for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. With a time of 1:22.207, he narrowly outpaces his rivals, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, in a thrilling duel on the Yas Marina circuit.
A high-tension qualifying
As the season comes to a close, every second counts, and Verstappen knows it. In pursuit of a fifth consecutive title, he finds himself in a delicate situation: 12 points behind Lando Norris in the overall standings. But during qualifying, it is the Dutchman who sets the pace. In Q3, he takes advantage of the “tow” from his teammate Yuki Tsunoda to put pressure on his competitors. In no time, he finds himself in provisional pole, three-tenths ahead of Piastri and Norris. The tension is palpable, almost like in a thriller where every character knows that the outcome depends on a final shot.
The battle for pole
The key moment comes when he returns to the track on fresh tires. As Norris and Piastri prepare to give their final push, expectations are high. But Verstappen doesn’t need help this time. With a blistering final lap, he improves his own time and soars to pole with a 0.201-second lead over Norris. It’s as if a virtuoso guitarist is unleashing an explosive solo in the midst of an already electric concert.
The other drivers lagging behind
Behind this leading trio, George Russell managed to secure fourth place for Mercedes, while Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso complete the top 6. The competition is fierce, but none seem capable of matching the genius of the reigning champion. Tsunoda, likely experiencing his last race with Red Bull for now, finishes in P10, a commendable performance after sacrificing his first lap.
The times and surprises
In the second part of qualifying, Verstappen set the best time with 1:22.912 on used tires before yielding his spot to young Russell, who took the lead with 1:22.730. The competition intensifies as Norris continues to navigate between used tires while managing to slip into P2.
However, the real shock was Lewis Hamilton’s premature exit. With a time of 1:23.394, he fails to advance to Q2 and finds himself eliminated before things even get serious. Tsunoda, a strategic thinker, manages to qualify for the final part with precise timing that allows him to edge out the British driver by a small margin.
The final qualifying table
At the end of this thrilling session, here is how the starting grid looks:
2025 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Qualifying
1 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:22.207 – –
2 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:22.408 0.201 0.245
3 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:22.437 0.230 0.280
4 George Russell Mercedes 1:22.645 0.438 0.533
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:22.730 0.523 0.636
6 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:22.902 0.695 0.845
7 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1:22.904 0.697 0.848
8 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:22.913 0.706 0.859
9 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:23.072 0.865 1.052
10 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT – – –
11 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:23.041 0.834 1.015
12 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:23.042 0.835 1.016
13 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:23.077 0.870 1.058
14 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:23.080 0.873 1.062
15 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:23.097 0.890 1.083
16 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:23.394 1.187 1.444
17 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:23.416 1.209 1.471
18 Nico Hülkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1:23.450 1.243 1.512
19 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:23.468 1.261 1.534
20 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Renault 1:23.890 1.683 2.047
An uncertain but promising future
As Verstappen prepares for what could be the climax of an already memorable season, the other drivers will need to find the resources necessary to thwart his plans. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be a true spectacle, where every turn could be decisive for the title.
Whether for Verstappen aiming to extend his legend or for Norris and Piastri looking to challenge the established order, the battle promises to be as thrilling as an action movie with an unpredictable plot.
