Verstappen takes pole for the season finale
Max Verstappen has once again secured pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The three-time Formula 1 world champion from the Netherlands beat Charles Leclerc in qualifying under the floodlights at the Yas Marina Circuit. In his Red Bull, the 26-year-old Dutchman was 0.139 seconds faster than the Monegasque of the same age in the Ferrari. Third place went to Oscar Piastri in the McLaren.
Hülkenberg eighth
Nico Hülkenberg in the Haas also made it into the top ten in eighth place, but record world champion Lewis Hamilton did not. He failed to finish in eleventh place and will probably remain winless with his Mercedes for the second year in a row.
For Verstappen, it is the twelfth pole this year and the 32nd of his career. He had already secured the best grid position in Abu Dhabi in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The dominator of this season has therefore put himself in perfect position for the victory he is aiming for this Sunday (14:00 CET/Sky). If he wins, he will overtake Sebastian Vettel in the all-time leaderboard and be sole third with 54 victories.
Verstappen aims to extend his dominance in Formula 1 with a win at the GP Abu Dhabi, following his pole position, as he targets to surpass Sebastian Vettel's third-place record of 54 victories in motorsport. Max's pole position in 2022 marks the fourth consecutive year he has secured the best grid position at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Source: www.dpa.com
