The provisional starting grid for the championship-deciding Abu Dhabi GP

Max Verstappen outqualified the two McLaren drivers, and will start Sunday's championship decider from pole position. This is the provisional grid for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen was the quickest on Saturday afternoon, and secured pole position for the final race of the 2025 season.

His two championship rivals, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished right behind the Dutchman. The Briton completes the front row, while the Australian will line up behind the RB21. George Russell will complete the second row.

Charles Leclerc will start from fifth place, alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. The best-performing rookie was Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished seventh ahead of Esteban Ocon in eighth.

Future Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar will start from ninth and the driver he is set to replace, Yuki Tsunoda, completes the top 10.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli was eliminated in Q2, and he is set to start from 14th. Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari woes continued in Abu Dhabi, and after a crash in FP3, he finished in P16.

Provisional starting grid - 2025 Abu Dhabi GP

The championship battle in Abu Dhabi

Entering the final session of the 2025 F1 season, Norris leads the championship by 12 points ahead of reigning champion Verstappen and 16 points ahead of Piastri.

The British driver has to finish third at least to secure a title not depending on his rivals' results.

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