Lando Norris secured pole position for the final Formula 1 race of the season in Abu Dhabi, positioning McLaren on the brink of their first constructors' title in 26 years. Norris outpaced teammate Oscar Piastri by .209 seconds, with Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari trailing by .020 seconds. Nico Hulkenberg of Haas surprised by clinching the fourth spot, while reigning champion Max Verstappen settled for fifth.
Charles Leclerc, Sainz's teammate, struggled in qualifying, finishing 14th in the second session and incurring a 10-place grid penalty. This setback likely dashes Ferrari's hopes of closing the 21-point gap to McLaren in the constructors' standings.
