Abu Dhabi GP: Max Verstappen Shrugs Off Problems To Claim 12th Pole Of Season

Max Verstappen made light of earlier set-up problems on Saturday by blitzing to pole position for Red Bull in an eventful qualifying session for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The three-time world champion clocked a best lap in one minute and 23.445 seconds to outpace nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari by a tenth of a second ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri.

It secured Verstappen's 12th pole of the season, his fourth in succession in Abu Dhabi and the 33rd of his career, drawing him level with 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell in the record books.

George Russell was fourth for Mercedes ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri after Carlos Sainz failed to make it out of Q1 in the second Ferrari and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was unable to progress from Q2 in his Mercedes.

"It's all been very weird," said a beaming Verstappen. "All weekend it's been a struggle but we improved a lot and then pushed and I am happy to be on pole. The car felt more connected in qualifying.

"I have no clue how the car will go in the race so let's see, but I am very proud of our achievements this year."

Leclerc was also surprised at his success in claiming a front row start. "I didn't expect it and I had to put it all together so I am very happy to have second place," he said. "In Q1 and Q2, I was worried about going through and then suddenly here I am P2! This car is so peaky."

Asked about Ferrari's prospects of overhauling Mercedes' four-point advantage and taking second place in the constructors' title race, he added: "Well I hope it goes well. It's our target to beat Mercedes and that's all that matters this weekend."

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso qualified seventh for Aston Martin ahead of