Good news for Max Verstappen: since 2015, the driver on pole in Abu Dhabi has almost always been the race winner. Securing pole position in Abu Dhabi has been almost a guarantee of victory in recent years. With Max Verstappen having secured pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, it seems that the reigning world champion has victory within his grasp.
The last time the driver on pole in Abu Dhabi did not win was in 2014. Nico Rosberg started from pole, the eighteenth for Mercedes that season, while Lewis Hamilton started from second place and took the victory. In the years since, pole position at the Yas Marina Circuit has always led to victory. This is good news for Verstappen, who will start from the first position in the final Grand Prix of 2025 on Sunday.
The fight for the championship is incredibly exciting. Lando Norris leads the World Championship, with Max Verstappen trailing by 12 points. Oscar Piastri is 16 points behind his teammate Norris. With Verstappen on pole and Norris starting from the second position, it will be thrilling to see on Sunday whether Verstappen can snatch the championship at the last moment. If Verstappen wins the race, Norris must finish on the podium to still become champion.
