Verstappen Takes Abu Dhabi Pole for F1 Title Decider as Norris Starts Second

Overview

• The front row features Max Verstappen on pole with Lando Norris alongside and Oscar Piastri third, with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto qualifying an impressive seventh.
• With 25 points available, Norris leads on 408 to Verstappen’s 396 and Piastri’s 392; a top‑three finish guarantees Norris the title, Verstappen must win with Norris off the podium, and Piastri likely needs a win with Norris no better than sixth.
• Practice form offered mixed signals as Norris topped FP1 and FP2 before George Russell led FP3, and Verstappen acknowledged Red Bull still needs to be faster over a lap and on long runs.
• An eventful FP3 included a Lewis Hamilton crash that triggered a red flag and a pit‑lane collision between Kimi Antonelli and Yuki Tsunoda that stewards referred for review.
• Teams fulfilled the FP1 rookie requirement, which sidelined Oscar Piastri for the opening session, while Bortoleto’s pace carried through from practice to a Q3 berth.