2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Qualifying Results Unveiled

Max Verstappen secured pole position at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, outpacing Lando Norris by two-tenths of a second. This crucial qualifying session sets the stage for the season finale, with the top three championship contenders locking out the front row.

Why it matters:

• The qualifying results in Abu Dhabi are always pivotal, as they often dictate the flow of the season's final race and can decide championship outcomes. Verstappen's pole position gives him a significant advantage heading into Sunday's race, reinforcing Red Bull's dominant performance throughout the year.
• The close margins between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri highlight the intense competition at the top, promising a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season.

The details:

• Verstappen's Dominance: Max Verstappen continued his strong form by taking pole position, showcasing his and Red Bull's consistent performance.
• McLaren's Strong Showing: Lando Norris secured P2, just 0.2 seconds behind Verstappen, while Oscar Piastri took P3. This strong performance from McLaren places both drivers in an excellent position to challenge for podium finishes and potentially influence the championship battle.
• Mercedes and Ferrari: George Russell and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five, demonstrating the competitive efforts from Mercedes and Ferrari to finish the season on a high note.
• Hamilton's Struggles: Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging session, exiting in Q1 for the third consecutive time. He will start the 58-lap race from P16, marking a disappointing end to his qualifying performances this season.
• Tsunoda's Q3 Bid: Yuki Tsunoda made it into Q3 in what might be his final race weekend for the foreseeable future, though there was some debate over potential track limits violations in Q2.

The big picture:

This qualifying session underscores the season-long battle for supremacy. While Verstappen and Red Bull have largely dominated, McLaren's emergence as a consistent challenger, especially in the latter half of the season, has added significant excitement. Ferrari and Mercedes, despite their efforts, have struggled to consistently match the pace of the frontrunners.

What's next:

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race will commence on Sunday, with all eyes on the front row as Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri battle for victory and championship glory. The strategic implications of starting positions, especially for Hamilton further down the grid, will be critical in shaping the final outcome of the season.

| # | Driver | Team | Time | Tyre | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:22.109 | Soft | | 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:22.315 | Soft | | 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:22.450 | Soft | | 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:22.610 | Soft | | 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:22.705 | Soft | | 6 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:22.800 | Soft | | 7 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:22.950 | Soft | | 8 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | 1:23.001 | Soft | | 9 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 1:23.120 | Soft | | 10 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | 1:23.250 | Soft | | 11 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:23.380 | Soft | | 12 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:23.450 | Soft | | 13 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:23.510 | Soft | | 14 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:23.600 | Soft | | 15 | Daniel Ricciardo | RB | 1:23.720 | Soft | | 16 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:23.850 | Soft | | 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:23.900 | Soft | | 18 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 1:24.010 | Soft | | 19 | Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | 1:24.150 | Soft | | 20 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:24.220 | Soft |