Max Verstappen has qualified on pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to pile the pressure on the McLaren duo.
Championship leader Lando Norris qualifies in P2 on the front row, and Oscar Piastri in P3. The final race of the F1 season will define the Championship race, with Norris, Verstappen and Piastri all still in the title picture.
Norris leads the standings heading into the season finale race. The Brit is 12 points ahead of Verstappen and 16 points clear of McLaren team-mate Piastri.
Verstappen claims pole with a time of 1:22:207 as the four-time world champion was helped by his departing team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, who provided a tow in the final DRS zone.
For the Dutchman to win the title, he needs to win the race and hope Norris finishes off the podium. While the Brit was visibly disappointed not to take pole, it’s a result that still plays into his hands.
If Norris finishes on the podium in Sunday’s Grand Prix, he will be crowned champion for the first time in his career.
More to follow…
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