Max Verstappen Exposes the Key Factor Behind F1 Abu Dhabi GP Pole Win Humbling McLaren

Max Verstappen opened up on the key factor that helped him clinch an impressive pole position against McLaren at Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen Exposes the Key Factor Behind F1 Abu Dhabi GP Pole Win Humbling McLaren

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen has done the unthinkable and kept his championship hopes alive despite being 14 points off Lando Norris in the standings for the win. The Dutchman clinched the pole position for the Abu Dhabi GP and will start ahead of Norris right behind in the front row.

As such, the turn 1 of the race will be exhilarating as the two drivers go to war for the championship. The 28-year-old opened up on the factors that helped him achieve a sublime pole position.

The Abu Dhabi GP has been one of the more successful tracks for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman won his first-ever driver’s title at this track, albeit in a very controversial manner. Since the 2021 season, Verstappen has emerged victorious in a handful of races at the Yas Marina Circuit and will hope to keep up with the positive momentum he has built so far in the 2025 season.

It all comes down to this moment as Max Verstappen’s pole position means he is on the front foot to contend for his fifth consecutive title win. Though Norris is right behind him, and his 14-point lead means that he needs just a podium finish to seal his title win. Regardless, Verstappen hopes to give it his all and let luck play out his championship chances on Sunday.

Max Verstappen noted that the changes that Red Bull made to the car over the weekend ultimately helped him in his pursuit of the pole position. Further, the changing track conditions at the Yas Marina Circuit further helped him seal his P1 start. Verstappen continued that starting on the front row and winning the race was all he could do in his title chances, as the rest relied on McLaren’s blunders on race day.

The changes we made helped. Track temp comes down, you know you can push a bit more. Incredibly happy to be in first, that’s all we can do right, that’s all we can control.

Max Verstappen said in a post-quali interview.

Max Verstappen reveals the ‘surprising’ factor of his Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying

Certainly, if Max Verstappen was told about his current championship state early on in the 2025 season, he would’ve laughed at the fact and called the person a ‘mad man’. However, the truth at hand is that Verstappen achieved a stellar comeback from a point gap of over 104 in the standings and now is just 14 points adrift. As such, the Dutchman pondered over the pleasant surprises that he faced in Abu Dhabi.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen insisted that the RB21 was more cohesive during the Qualifying sessions as compared to the Practice outings. Verstappen added that the changes made to the car overnight have turned out for the better, and his car is looking more competitive than ever. The four-time champion recalled that he was surprised by how much the fresh compounds helped him gain an advantage as he found even more pace in the final laps.

In qualifying the car was more cohesive. The changes we made last night seem to have worked. On the first lap I was surprised by how much the new tires had to offer. On the second I found something more.

Max Verstappen noted.

The 2025 season is now officially in its final race, and the stakes have never been higher. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris will give it their all in the ultimate race of the year and hope to come out on top. Though Oscar Piastri is still mathematically in the battle, his winning chances seem next to none as he trails both the championship leaders currently.

Read More: Carlos Sainz Snubs Max Verstappen and Names Lando Norris as 2025 F1 Championship Favorite