Oscar Piastri secured P3 in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, falling behind Max Verstappen, who took pole, and teammate Lando Norris. Piastri acknowledged Verstappen's formidable pace, especially in long runs, setting up a challenging title decider. To win the championship, Piastri needs to beat both Verstappen and Norris, with Norris finishing outside the top five.
Mercedes was fined €10,000 after Andrea Kimi Antonelli collided with Yuki Tsunoda in the pit lane during FP3 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The FIA investigation found Mercedes at fault for an unsafe release, causing damage to both cars. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff apologized, taking responsibility for the team's rush.
Max Verstappen claimed a dominant pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, placing him directly ahead of championship rival Lando Norris. Norris secured second, just narrowly beating McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, setting up a thrilling championship showdown. All three title contenders will start from the first two rows, ensuring a high-stakes finale where strategic decisions and on-track performance will determine the 2024 F1 champion.
Lewis Hamilton expressed significant anger after his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Q1 exit, marking his fourth consecutive failure to advance. A Free Practice 3 crash due to 'bottoming' compounded his struggles, leading to a 16th place start and capping a challenging season for the Mercedes driver. He lamented the lost practice time and the recurring issues, with little optimism for the race.
Max Verstappen dominated Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying, securing pole position ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. This performance sets up a strong finish for Red Bull and highlights McLaren's impressive late-season form, while Ferrari and Mercedes will be strategizing to challenge for podium spots in the final race of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Max Verstappen claimed pole for the Abu Dhabi GP, but championship leader Lando Norris secured a critical second place on the grid, setting up a thrilling title decider. Norris, who leads Verstappen by 12 points, can secure his first F1 title with a top-three finish, intensifying the final race of the season. The McLaren driver's crucial performance puts him in prime position to control his championship destiny against the Red Bull ace.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella maintains confidence in his team's ability to win the Drivers' Championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, despite Max Verstappen's pole position. Stella praised Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's close performance throughout the season and qualifying, emphasizing that while Verstappen had a slight edge, McLaren extracted maximum performance. The team is now focused on race day execution to clinch the title in a complex, multi-driver battle.
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging out Lando Norris by two-tenths of a second. Oscar Piastri took third, as the top three championship contenders locked out the front row. Lewis Hamilton faced another challenging session, exiting in Q1 and starting 16th, setting the stage for a dramatic season finale.
Oscar Piastri commented on potential McLaren team orders at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, stating that a pre-race discussion would be "ideal" for clarity. His teammate Lando Norris, who holds a 16-point advantage in the championship, is open to such directives. With both drivers still mathematically in contention, McLaren's strategy will be crucial in the season finale.
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.
Mercedes and Williams were each fined by the FIA for unsafe pit releases during the final practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes received a 10,000 penalty after Kimi Antonelli was released into Yuki Tsunoda's path, causing contact. Williams was fined 5,000 for an unsafe release involving Alex Albon and Esteban Ocon, emphasizing the FIA's strict stance on pit lane safety.
Yuki Tsunoda received a €10,000 fine and a formal warning after impeding Lando Norris during final practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Stewards found Tsunoda's team failed to adequately warn him of Norris's approaching fast lap, but also noted Tsunoda should have been more aware of his track position. This incident highlights ongoing track safety and communication challenges in F1 practice sessions.