Verstappen takes closing pole of F1 season

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the ultimate pole place of the Formula One season on Saturday with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc becoming a member of the triple world champion on the entrance row at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri certified third for McLaren, though the Australian rookie confronted a stewards listening to for allegedly impeding Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, with Mercedes’ George Russell fourth.

McLaren’s Lando Norris dropped from a provisional second after the primary flying laps to an eventual fifth when he clipped a kerb on his closing effort.

“The whole weekend so far has been a bit of a struggle so we definitely improved the car for qualifying,” stated Verstappen, who can finish the 12 months with a record-extending nineteenth win in 22 races.

“From lap one it all seemed a bit more together and we could definitely push more.”

Red Bull have gained 20 of the 21 races to date, one other F1 file, and Verstappen has gained in Abu Dhabi for the previous three years. Both titles have already been clinched.

The 26-year-old Dutch driver had complained in follow about his automobile’s setup, saying it had been bottoming and leaping round.

Russell had been quickest in two of the follow periods and Leclerc within the different, elevating hopes elsewhere that Verstappen may not have all of it his personal method and elevating doubts even inside Red Bull.

“Well done mate. You’ve just won me 500 euros off (Red Bull motorsport consultant) Helmut (Marko) which is like getting blood out of a stone,” a jubilant crew boss Christian Horner advised Verstappen over the crew radio.

“Helmut lost a bet? What world are we living in?,” replied Verstappen.

“The bet was for you to be on the front row, mate,” stated Horner.

The pole was Verstappen’s twelfth of the season, equalling 1992 champion Nigel Mansell’s profession haul of 32 – which is seventh equal within the all-time lists.