Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s blistering early lap in Q3 held, and the Dutchman claimed the pole for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a tension-filled qualifying session under the light at the Yas Marina circuit on Saturday (December 6th).
MAX VERSTAPPEN TAKES POLE FOR THE TITLE DECIDER!!!#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/lu5gjpcYfK
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2025
“Track temp comes down; you know you can push a bit more. Incredibly happy to be in first, that’s all we can do right; that’s all we can control,” said Verstappen afterwards.
“I’ll try and win the race, but at the back of my mind is to win that championship. So we’ll see what happens.”
Championship leader Lando Norris, who is 12 points ahead of Verstappen, will start second and, with a podium finish, would clinch the world championship. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, 16 points behind Norris, will start third and will likely need a win and failure by Verstappen and Norris if the Australian is to win the championship.
DRIVER STANDINGS (after 23/24 rounds)
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 30, 2025
It's going to be a grandstand finish to the season 🍿#F1 #QatarGP pic.twitter.com/WzJSpwRnK7
Q3
Verstappen’s first run of Q3 was a blistering 1:22.295 on new tires was over three-tenths faster and over four-tenths faster than Piastri and Norris, respectively. Verstappen also used a tow from Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda to gain a slight advantage. The McLaren’s were on used tires and would make their final Q3 runs on fresh rubber.
A grandstand finish to qualifying! 🍿
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2025
What a performance from Max 💪#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/Ou2WLzlw0V
Verstappen’s first effort would be tough to beat, and that proved true as neither Norris nor Piastri could approach it on their final runs. Verstappen actually chopped .088 seconds off his first lap and posted a pole-winning 1:22.207, with Norris .201 back.
| Pos. | Driver No. | Driver | Team | Time from Leader |
| 1. | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:22.207m |
| 2. | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.201s |
| 3. | 81 | Oscar Piastri | Red Bull | +0.230s |
| 4. | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.438s |
| 5. | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.523s |
| 6. | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.695s |
| 7. | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | +0.697s |
| 8. | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | +.706s |
| 9. | 6 | Isaak Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +.865s |
| 10. | 16 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | ——— |
Q2
Verstappen went out first in Q2 and put down a 1:22.912 which wasn’t touched until Russell topped it by .182 seconds on a set of new tires. Norris put a strong lap together and went second, just .074 behind Russell.
After the first runs, Leclerc sat in 10th, over half a second behind Russell’s lap, and looking to avoid another Ferrari disaster. Leclerc improved by three-tenths and secured a trip to Q3.
Russell’s time in his first run of 1:22:730 held up as the session’s fastest time, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli failed to advance. Piastri was only eighth fastest.
❌ ELIMINATED IN Q2 ❌
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2025
Bearman
Sainz
Lawson
Antonelli
Stroll#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/s72HvvujrT
| Pos. | Driver No. | Driver | Team | Time from Advancing |
| 11. | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | +0.311s |
| 12. | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +0.312s |
| 13. | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +0.347s |
| 14. | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.350s |
| 15. | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +0.367s |
Q1
Verstappen’s first effort was a 1:23.325 and put him briefly atop the timing sheet, while Norris layed down a 1:23:430 which was slowed by a mistake into Turn 1. He would need to improve on his second run to ensure a safe passage to Q2.
Russell’s first timed lap was a 1:23.247 and was the fastest of the first round of timed laps.
Hamilton, who crashed in free practice 3 on Friday (December 5th), was encouraged with a lap that placed him fifth fastest.
Norris’ second attempt was a 1:23.178, a time which Paistri smashed by over half a second.
Piastri’s 1:22.605 held up and was the fastest of the session, with Verstappen .272 behind. Hamilton could only go 16th fastest and was knocked out of his third straight Q1.
❌ ELIMINATED IN Q1 ❌
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 6, 2025
Hamilton
Albon
Hulkenberg
Gasly
Colapinto#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/DUF8QGKWzb
The F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will begin on Sunday, December 7th, at 8 a.m. ET. Television coverage in the United States will be provided by ESPN.
| Pos. | Driver No. | Driver | Team | Time from Advancing | |||
| 16. | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.789s | |||
| 17. | 23 | Alex Albon | Williams | +0.811s | |||
| 18. | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | +0.845s | |||
| 19. | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.863s | |||
| 20. | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1.285s |
2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Qualifying Results
The 2025 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will kick off on Sunday (Dec. 7) at 8 a.m. ET with coverage on ESPN.
