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Verstappen steals pole ahead of season-defining finale
Jaiden Sciberras • December 7th, 2025 11:02 am
The script writers have outdone themselves.
Another twist has arrived in this season's extensive Formula 1 tale, as Red Bull's Max Verstappen takes pole position in Abu Dhabi, comfortably outqualifying both McLaren Championship contenders ahead of the final Grand Prix for 2025.Ahead of the season-defining closer, Verstappen drove a stellar qualifying in the early hours of Sunday morning, clocking a 1:22.207 in Q3 to claim pole by more than 0.2 seconds, eclipsing McLaren's Championship leader Lando Norris (1:22.408) and Australian Oscar Piastri (1:22.437) in second and third.
Incredibly, all of the last 10 drivers on pole at Abu Dhabi have gone on to claim victory, and with just a 12-point deficit to leader Norris, Verstappen will not leave anything to chance. Given the Red Bull was by far the fastest car on the grid, the Dutchman's Championship hopes are well and truly alive.
Speaking after the qualifying session, Australian Oscar Piastri remains in high spirits despite entering as a clear third favourite for the once-expected 2025 Drivers' Championship.
“I think (qualifying was) honestly pretty good,” he said.
“I think Q1 I got a nice lap on the board, the first good lap I’ve done all weekend, so it was nice to kind of set myself a baseline for the rest of quali.
“I think in Q3 things felt good, my lap was pretty good, and I think Lando’s lap was pretty good. I think that was more or less what we had, so ultimately pretty pleased.”
“We were just not quite quick enough today, but it sets up a pretty exciting day tomorrow.”
Missing out on a crucial pole, Lando Norris was not quite as optimistic, despite not requiring maximum points in order to secure his title.
“It’s tough. It’s tough. Max did a good job, so congrats to him. We did everything we could. I think my lap was pretty good, I was pretty happy.
“Of course I’m disappointed not to be on pole for the final weekend, but we just weren’t fast enough today, so we’ll have to try and do it tomorrow.
“Max was too far ahead – they were too fast. We didn’t quite have the speed in the car today. A tough one to take, but otherwise I think we got everything out of it. I think Oscar said he did a pretty good lap and I thought I did a pretty good lap. Just not fast enough come Qualifying, but tomorrow’s a new day.”
If Max goes on to win, Lando Norris will have to finish on the podium to secure his maiden Drivers' Championship. A fourth-place finish for the McLaren will see Verstappen edge out his fifth straight by a singular point.
As for Oscar Piastri, finishing behind either of Norris or Verstappen immediately rules out his chances of Championship glory. Entering the final weekend 16 points behind teammate Lando and four points behind Verstappen, Piastri must win at Abu Dhabi and Lando must slip to sixth or lower in order to reclaim his spot atop the leaderboard.
With all three Championship leaders set to lead the pack into the first corner, this season finale is set up to perfection, with the race set to launch on Monday 12:00am AEDT.
