Overview
- The title contenders locked out the top three in qualifying at Yas Marina: Verstappen P1, Norris P2 and Piastri P3.
- Championship permutations are clear: Norris seals the title with a podium, Verstappen must win with Norris fourth or lower, and Piastri must win with Norris outside the top five.
- Red Bull employed a tow from Yuki Tsunoda to boost Verstappen's first Q3 run; Tsunoda will start 10th after not setting a Q3 time.
- Track position looms large in Abu Dhabi, where every winner since 2015 has started from pole.
- Lewis Hamilton crashed in final practice and suffered a third straight Q1 exit, qualifying 16th in a difficult end to his Ferrari season.