Max Verstappen seized a vital pole position for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating championship leader Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri after McLaren had led the way in practice. With Verstappen starting ahead of both McLarens for the title decider at Yas Marina, qualifying has dramatically reset the balance of power before Sunday’s showdown.
George Russell disrupted the title narrative in Abu Dhabi by going quickest in FP3 ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. As Mercedes finds form at the last moment, McLaren and Red Bull remain closely matched, setting up a high‑pressure qualifying session that could decide the outcome of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Lando Norris set the fastest time in both free practice sessions at Yas Marina yet insists he is “not totally confident” with his McLaren. While the Briton leads the way on paper, he and team‑mate Oscar Piastri – who struggled on the soft compound – believe there is still significant work to do before qualifying and the race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After the first day of running at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull lacked pace compared to Lando Norris’ McLaren. Despite solid long runs, the Dutchman believes the team must find performance overnight to challenge for pole and victory at Yas Marina.
Norris dominates FP2 at Abu Dhabi with 1:23.083, boosting title hopes as Piastri lags in 11th on his first run.
Lando Norris Tops FP2 at Abu Dhabi GP 2025: Piastri Struggles in 11th Lire la suite »
Oscar Piastri confirms McLaren has not talked internally about what happens if he alone can secure Lando Norris’ title in Abu Dhabi, leaving a delicate team-orders question hanging over a three-way fight with Max Verstappen.
The Delicate Scenario Where Piastri Could Hold Norris’ 2025 F1 Title in His Hands Lire la suite »
Max Verstappen approaches the 2025 Abu Dhabi title showdown with a strikingly calm mindset, saying that whether he wins the championship or not “doesn’t really matter” because he already considers his season outstanding from a personal performance point of view.
Why Winning the 2025 F1 Title “Doesn’t Really Matter” to Max Verstappen Lire la suite »
Despite recent strategic setbacks, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella affirmed the team will uphold driver equity through the Abu Dhabi season finale, allowing Norris and Piastri to race freely unless one falls out of contention.
McLaren’s « Papaya Rules » Confirmed for Abu Dhabi Title Decider by Andrea Stella Lire la suite »
Oscar Piastri won the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, stopping Lando Norris’ points lead from expanding, as Norris successfully defended against Max Verstappen’s early challenge to finish third behind Piastri and Russell.
Piastri Wins Qatar GP 2025 Sprint, Norris Holds Off Verstappen Pressure Lire la suite »
Mercedes driver George Russell was pleasantly surprised to qualify second for the Qatar GP sprint, slotting between McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, while anticipating a challenging race due to the circuit’s overtaking difficulties.
