Verstappen on pole for title decider ahead of Norris, Piastri

Max Verstappen is doing everything he can to retain the Formula 1 title and overturn what once seemed like an insurmountable deficit.

The Red Bull driver secured pole position for Sunday's title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, outdueling championship leader Lando Norris and fellow contender Oscar Piastri during Saturday's qualifying session.

Verstappen is just 12 points behind Norris going into the last race of the 2025 season, where a thrilling three-way battle will be decided at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Piastri, who led the way for much of the year before faltering late, is 16 points behind his McLaren teammate.

Championship leader Norris will secure his first title as long as he finishes anywhere on the podium Sunday.

Read more: How Norris, Verstappen, Piastri can win title

Verstappen looked at one point this season to be well out of contention as Red Bull struggled to keep pace with McLaren's superior machinery, but he's now put himself in striking position to win his fifth consecutive F1 crown.

A Q3 tow from outgoing teammate Yuki Tsunoda helped the Dutchman qualify quickest ahead of the McLaren pair Saturday.

The driver who's started on pole has won every race in Abu Dhabi since 2015.

"That was insane," Verstappen said over team radio after securing P1. "Yes. Lovely."

Elsewhere, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton had another sobering outing for Ferrari, getting eliminated in Q1 for the third consecutive race. His qualifying struggles came after he crashed in third practice earlier in the day.

"I'm so sorry," Hamilton told his race engineer over the radio after once again failing to get out of Q1. "There are no words to express how I feel."