ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Max Verstappen took pole position for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, ahead of Formula One title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri on Saturday.
An exciting three-way battle will be decided on Sunday at the Yas Marina Circuit. McLaren driver Norris is 12 points ahead of Red Bull's Verstappen and 16 points ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri.
Verstappen is seeking his fifth consecutive Formula 1 title, while Norris and Piastri are chasing their first. All three drivers won seven races.
Pole position is crucial in Abu Dhabi: since 2015, every driver has won from pole position.
Verstappen had already set the fastest lap in his first run, but went even faster in his second attempt and set a lap time of 1 minute 22.207 seconds, making him 0.201 faster than Norris and 0.230 faster than Piastri.
“It was crazy,” Verstappen said on the team radio after his eighth pole position of the season and 48th place overall. “Yes, nice.”
Verstappen kissed girlfriend Kelly Piquet and shook hands with McLaren CEO Zac Brown.
Norris will win the title if he finishes on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Even if Verstappen wins, the Dutchman needs Norris to be fourth or lower. If Piastri wins, he will demand that Norris finish outside the top five.
Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton crashed out of the first stage of qualifying, stage three of qualifying, for the third race in a row. He also crashed in third practice due to driver error earlier on Saturday and has not finished in the top 10 for four straight races.
“I’m really sorry,” Hamilton said over the team radio. “There are no words to express how I feel.”
Asked about 2026, Hamilton responded dejectedly: “I'm not looking that far ahead.”
