Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position for title decider
Russell sometimes looked like he could intervene in the title challenge – and he still might if he gets off to a good start – but after a messy session in which he made several errors on his laps, the Briton finished fourth, 0.438 seconds off the pace.
Leclerc led Ferrari to fifth after another difficult session for the team.
The second qualifying session was terrible and he said on the radio that he was “surprised” he was able to make it because he “drove like a rally”.
Teammate Hamilton suffered a third consecutive knockout in the first session to end Ferrari’s difficult first season in 16th place on the grid.
While Ferrari did not make a statement about Hamilton’s accident in the middle of recent practice, the British pilot said he had “no answers” regarding his lack of performance. He was 0.231 seconds behind his teammate in the first session.
Alonso finished Aston Martin’s season relatively high in sixth place in the standings, thus becoming the only driver to clear grand prix qualifying ahead of his teammate on the grid.
Alonso has a 24-0 lead over Lance Stroll and the Canadian has only beaten him on a lap once all season; in sprint qualifying in China in the second race of the season.
Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Tsunoda completed the top 10, while British Haas driver Oliver Bearman ranked 11th.
