Overview
- The Red Bull driver clocked a 1:22.207 to outqualify Lando Norris by 0.201s, with Oscar Piastri third at 0.230s.
- Red Bull used a planned tow from Yuki Tsunoda on Verstappen’s first Q3 run; Tsunoda starts 10th after sacrificing his lap.
- George Russell lines up fourth and Charles Leclerc fifth, and every Abu Dhabi winner since 2015 has started from pole.
- Lewis Hamilton crashed in final practice and suffered a third straight Q1 exit, leaving him 16th on the grid.
- Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli is under stewards’ investigation for a pit-lane collision with Tsunoda in practice that could bring a grid penalty.