The Abu Dhabi GP qualifying session, the last of the season, saw the checkered flag wave. It is Max Verstappen to take home the pole position. But the two McLaren I'm lurking, positioning itself in P2 with Norris and P3 with PiastriLet's delve into the final qualifiers of the year, with their twists and turns and some great performances.
Immediate twist: Hamilton eliminated in Q1. What a lap by Piastri!
The first part of the qualifying session of the Abu Dhabi GP immediately reserves for us the first big twist of the weekend: Lewis Hamilton is eliminated. With him Albon, Hulkenberg and two o'clock Alpine. In front of Oscar piastri stops the clock on1.22.605, 10 thousandths off last year's pole time. Behind him, the other title contender Max Verstappen it does not go beyond i 272 thousandths from P1. The championship leader Lando Norris it's even at almost six tenths and in P6. An excellent Kimi Antonelli he slips into P3, placing himself behind Alonso and the other Ferrari of Charles LeclercFor a Williams and a Sauber out, there is one inside for each team, with Sainz e Bortoleto (P7 and P14) who grab Q2.
Tsunoda In, Antonelli and Bearman Out
What immediately catches the eye in the second part of the qualifying session of the Abu Dhabi GP is the presence in the final Top 10 of Yuki tsunoda. One of his few appearances in Q3 since being called up by Red Bull, and in the race it can be the key to Max's possible World ChampionshipTwo rookies, two “best friends”, two eliminations in Q2: both Antonelli and Bearman had shown great pace on one lap during the Arabian weekend. It wasn't enough, with the Italian starting in P14 and the Englishman in P11. Also excluded from the top ten positions Sainz (P12), Lawson (P13) e Stroll (P15).
SuperMax takes pole, but the McLarens are lurking
First attempt at Q3 qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP and the Red Bull it immediately makes it clear why They are a team used to winning World Cups. Verstappen is in fact ahead of everyone, thanks also to the very precious trail date of Yuki tsunoda for the entire second straight. Behind is Plates in front of Norris, both 3 and 4 tenths apart. Excellent lap of Leclerc, which puts her in fourth place, just a few thousandths of a second behind the #4 McLaren. Then Russell, a super Bortoleto in P6, Alonso, Hadjar, Ocon and Yuki without a time. Pole position does not change hands, it is always SuperMax, eighth of the season and more than anyone else. But behind him there will be Lando Norris and not Oscar piastri, who will be in P3. Charles loses fourth, overtaken by Russell. His mentor (Alonso) also overtakes his pupil (Bortoleto). Ocon, Hadjar, and Tsunoda close the gap.
