Max Verstappen will start the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position, delivering a scintillating 1m 22.207s lap in Q3 to fend off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who will start P2 and P3 respectively. The Dutchman’s performance set the stage for a thrilling championship showdown on Sunday.

Earlier, Piastri led Q1 and George Russell topped Q2, but Verstappen’s top-10 shootout pace proved untouchable. Russell will line up P4 for Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc in P5 and Fernando Alonso taking a solid P6 for Aston Martin. Gabriel Bortoleto impressed in P7 for Kick Sauber, while Esteban Ocon, Isack Hadjar, and Yuki Tsunodacompleted the top 10.

Further down the grid, Haas’ Ollie Bearman and Williams’ Carlos Sainz failed to reach Q2, leaving Sainz in P12. Liam Lawson was P13, Kimi Antonelli struggled to P14, and Lance Stroll was P15. In a dramatic Q1 exit, Lewis Hamiltonended up P16 after crashing in FP3, with Alex Albon one spot behind. 

Nico Hulkenberg settled for P18, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto brought up the rear in P19 and P20. The grid sets the stage for a tense, high-stakes Abu Dhabi showdown, with Verstappen in prime position but pressure mounting from the McLarens and other championship contenders.

If you want, I can also rewrite this in Top Gear-style or cinematic dramatic style for extra flair. Do you want me to do that?

2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Qualifying Results