ABU DHABI – Max Verstappen seized pole position for Sunday’s decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a blistering final lap, edging out championship rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a tension-filled qualifying session that could determine the fate of this season’s drivers’ title.
The Red Bull star and four-time world champion clocked a fastest lap of 1 minute 22.207 seconds, beating championship leader Norris by just 0.201 seconds and the Australian Piastri by 0.230 seconds. The result ensures the three title protagonists will occupy the front row of the grid for Sunday’s season finale.
The stakes could not be higher: Norris requires only a podium finish to claim his maiden championship, whilst the 28-year-old Verstappen must win the race and hope for favourable circumstances to secure a record-equalling fifth consecutive drivers’ title.
Statistics favour the pole-sitter
Verstappen’s achievement marks his eighth pole position of the season and the 48th of his illustrious career. Crucially for the Dutchman, statistics favour the pole-sitter at the Yas Marina Circuit, with the last 10 Abu Dhabi races all won by the driver starting from first position.
“Of course, I am incredibly happy to be in first and that’s the only thing we can do,” said Verstappen, who has claimed victory four times previously in Abu Dhabi. “That was great work from everyone and let’s go out and have some fun tomorrow.”
Despite his 12-point championship lead providing him with the luxury of a second or third-place finish to secure the title, Norris expressed disappointment at missing pole position whilst maintaining his determination to win.
“Max did a good job so congratulations to him,” said the Briton. “We did everything we could and my lap was pretty good. We weren’t fast enough today. I still want to win and that’s how I am going into the race.”
Piastri, trailing his McLaren teammate by 16 points and considered an outside chance in the three-way title fight, acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly given that no driver has won from off the front row in the last 12 races at this venue.
“My last lap in Q3 was pretty good and there wasn’t a lot left in that,” the Australian remarked. “Max has looked very quick in the long runs so let’s see how much pace is a factor tomorrow.”
Hamilton’s Qualifying Woes Continue
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton endured another disappointing qualifying session, failing to progress from Q1 for the third consecutive race. The Ferrari driver, whose car was hastily repaired following a crash in final practice, finished two-tenths slower than teammate Charles Leclerc and will start 16th on Sunday’s grid.
Hamilton’s early exit makes him the first Ferrari driver to record three consecutive Q1 eliminations, though he may take encouragement from last season when he recovered from a similar 16th-place start to finish fourth.
George Russell qualified fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari’s Leclerc, two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, and Haas driver Esteban Ocon. Racing Bulls’ Red Bull-bound rookie Isack Hadjar secured ninth position, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, whom he will replace next season.
Strategic Advantage
Verstappen held a crucial tactical advantage entering the final qualifying session, having preserved two sets of fresh soft tyres whilst his McLaren rivals had only one set remaining. The Dutchman maximised this benefit with a slipstream from Tsunoda on his initial Q3 run, establishing a commanding three-to-four-tenth advantage over both McLaren drivers.
Without the luxury of team-mate assistance for slipstreaming that Verstappen enjoyed, the McLaren duo found themselves at a disadvantage in the crucial final session.
However, Verstappen required no external help for his pole-securing lap, delivering a stunning final effort that reaffirmed his reputation as one of Formula 1’s most gifted drivers in qualifying trim.
The stage is now set for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Formula 1 season, with the championship destiny resting in the hands of three exceptional drivers at the front of the grid.
