P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen rued inconsistent balance shifts with the Red Bull making it “difficult to be consistent” as he qualified in fifth for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
During practice, Verstappen complained about understeer, but he managed to secure provisional pole position with a fast Q3 lap. Despite a scare on his first lap, Verstappen was overtaken by Lando Norris, who led a McLaren 1-2 with Oscar Piastri. Verstappen’s struggles with balance and consistency dropped him to fifth on the grid as Sainz and Hulkenberg moved ahead. Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty in finding the right setup throughout the weekend and expressed concern about McLaren’s performance. He admitted that Red Bull faced limitations in slow-speed corners at Yas Marina Circuit, but sees room for improvement. Verstappen hopes for a competitive race against McLaren, emphasizing the importance of tire management and a good car balance.
