Max Verstappen claims pole for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Charles Leclerc
- Rob Fleming
- 25 November 2023
In a dramatic qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit, Max Verstappen asserted his dominance, securing pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Alongside him on the front row is Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, setting the stage for a thrilling season finale.
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, faced a setback as he grappled with issues in his Mercedes, relegating him to an uncharacteristic 11th place on the grid. The seven-time world champion, expressing frustration over his car's performance, finds himself on the back foot in the quest for a respectable result in the desert showdown.
Verstappen's superb lap, clocking in at 1:23.445, left him ahead of Leclerc by 0.139 seconds. The Red Bull driver, on the verge of claiming his 19th victory of the season, reflected on the challenging weekend, stating, "The whole weekend has been a struggle, but we improved the car for qualifying, so I am very happy to be on pole."
Ferrari's Leclerc, starting alongside Verstappen, expressed optimism about the team's battle against Mercedes. "The target is to beat them," Leclerc remarked. "Let's look to put both of our cars in front of Mercedes because finishing second in the constructors is all that matters to me."
The qualifying results also showcased the promising talent of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who secured third place. George Russell, of Mercedes, claimed the fourth spot on the grid. The tense battle for second place in the constructors' championship between Mercedes and Ferrari is now hanging in the balance, with just four points separating the two teams.
Mercedes received a minor reprieve as Carlos Sainz, a contender for Ferrari, unexpectedly faced elimination in Q1, starting in 16th place. This twist in fortune could play a crucial role in the team's bid for second place in the constructors' standings.
Hamilton's struggles have been a recurring theme in the latter part of the season, with only one podium finish in his last six races. The Briton, facing an uphill task in Abu Dhabi, remarked, "There is something not right with this car, mate," signaling the challenges ahead.
As the Yas Marina Circuit prepares for the season finale, all eyes are on Verstappen, who is poised to cap off an extraordinary season with another victory. The battle for supremacy between Red Bull and Ferrari, coupled with Hamilton's quest for redemption, sets the stage for a gripping showdown in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Qualifying results
1 Max Verstappen, Red Bull 1:23.445
2 Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.139
3 Oscar Piastri, McLaren +0.337
4 George Russell, Mercedes +0.343
5 Lando Norris, McLaren +0.371
6 Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri +0.523
7 Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +0.639
8 Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +0.663
9 Sergio Perez, Red Bull +0.726
10 Pierre Gasly, Alpine +1.103
11 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 1:24.359
12 Esteban Ocon, Alpine +0.032
13 Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +0.063
14 Alexander Albon, Williams +0.080
15 Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri +0.083
16 Carlos Sainz, Ferrari 1:24.738
17 Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team +0.026
18 Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +0.050
19 Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo +0.421
20 Logan Sargeant, Williams NO TIME SET
