Norris Frustrated After Missing Abu Dhabi Pole to Verstappen
Lando Norris expressed frustration after narrowly missing pole position to Max Verstappen in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying. Despite extracting the maximum from his McLaren, Norris admitted they lacked the pace to beat Verstappen, leaving him disappointed to finish behind his key rival in the season finale.
Lando Norris expressed significant frustration after finishing behind Max Verstappen in the final qualifying session of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi. Despite feeling he extracted the maximum from his McLaren, falling short of pole to his key rival was a bitter pill to swallow.
Why it matters:
McLaren's consistent improvement throughout the 2025 season has positioned Norris as a genuine contender, often challenging Red Bull. Missing pole in the season finale highlights the persistent gap to Verstappen and Red Bull, even as McLaren closes in. This sets the stage for a compelling final race, with the battle for superiority at the forefront.
The details:
- Norris admitted Q1 and Q2 were not "the smoothest" but was "pretty happy" with his Q3 laps, feeling he got "a lot out of the car."
- His lap time of 1:22.408 was over two-tenths behind Verstappen's pole-setting time at the Yas Marina Circuit.
- Norris candidly stated, "Being behind the one person I want to be ahead of is the only reason for the disappointment."
- He acknowledged that McLaren simply "didn't have the pace today" to match Verstappen.
- Teammate Oscar Piastri secured third place, just behind Norris, indicating McLaren's strong overall package but still a deficit to the very front.
The big picture:
This qualifying result underscores the fierce rivalry that has defined much of the 2025 season between Norris and Verstappen. While McLaren has made substantial strides, Red Bull and Verstappen continue to hold a slight edge in critical moments. The final race of the season in Abu Dhabi will now be a crucial test of whether Norris can convert his strong qualifying performance into a victory, a feat that has often eluded him when Verstappen is in contention.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to race day in Abu Dhabi, where Norris will start from the front row alongside Verstappen. While pole position is often advantageous, the Yas Marina Circuit offers overtaking opportunities, and tire strategy will be paramount. Norris will be determined to overcome Verstappen and claim a morale-boosting victory to cap off what has been a breakout season for McLaren.