All eyes will be on McLaren’s star duo at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as they eye an end to a 28-year constructor’s title drought early on Monday.
Every F1 qualifying session and race LIVE in 4K on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Not since 1998 has McLaren claimed the prestigious title – but they’ll take a massive advantage into the final event of the Formula 1 calendar after reeling off their third front row lockout of the season.
Lando Norris landed pole after his “perfect day” in qualifying, ahead of Australian teammate Oscar Piastri at the Yas Marina Circuit.
TALKING PTS | One last ‘papaya rules’ fight for Piastri after Ferrari flop
‘PERFECT DAY’ | McLaren’s ‘dream’ title scenario as ‘idiotic mistake’ ruins Hamilton’s farewell
‘TOO FAR’ | F1 feud explodes as star makes stunning claim, unloads on ‘bully’ Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton is relegated back to the eighth row after a disastrous qualifying in his Mercedes farewell, ahead of the shift to Ferrari next season.
Ferrari star Charles Leclerc faired even worse – relegated to the back of the grid at a time his team need to overhaul a 21-point deficit to take the constructors’ title ahead of McLaren.
Leclerc hit with penalty in Practice | 01:43
“It’s a difficult one to take … between the engine penalty and the lap time deleted, we are not in the strongest position,” he told reporters post-qualifying.
“I will give it my all to turn it around.
“I still feel everything is possible. I’ll do my best.
“It’s going to be a very tough race … I’ll believe in it to the very end.”
Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz will start from third alongside four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen.
Follow the action in the blog below. If you can’t see the blog, please click here
STARTING GRID
Front row Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren, Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren
2nd row Carlos Sainz (ESP) Ferrari, Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull
3rd row Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine, George Russell (GBR) Mercedes
4th row Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Haas, Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin
5th row Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Sauber, Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull,
6th row Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) RB, Liam Lawson (NZL) RB
7th row Lance Stroll (CAN) Aston Martin, Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas
8th row Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Sauber, Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes
9th row Jack Doohan (AUS) Alpine, Alex Albon (THA) Williams
10th row Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, Franco Colapinto (ARG) Williams
