P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen secured a vital pole position for the F1 season finale under the lights of the Yas Marina Circuit.
After securing a crucial pole position at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen revealed that Red Bull had implemented significant changes to his RB21 between FP3 and qualifying. Setting two blistering push laps in Q3, he was able to claim the top spot on the grid. His closest competitor, Lando Norris, currently leads him in the standings by 12 points.
Despite fierce competition from Norris and Oscar Piastri, who was third fastest and just four points behind Verstappen, the Dutch driver praised the team’s adjustments for aiding his pole charge in the cool night conditions of Yas Marina Circuit. Verstappen emphasized the challenge of predicting track improvements during qualifying and credited the alterations made by Red Bull for boosting his confidence.
Acknowledging McLaren’s strong performance in qualifying, Verstappen explained the strategic decision to stick with scrubbed tires in Q2, allowing him to push harder when the track temperature dropped in Q3. Expressing satisfaction with his pole position, he highlighted the team’s focus on maximizing their efforts and performance with the car, ultimately resulting in a successful qualifying session.
