Verstappen takes pole for season's finale in Abu Dhabi

Champion Verstappen is aiming to crown a dominant year with a single season record-extending 19th victory.

"The whole weekend has been a bit of a struggle. We improved the car for qualifying, and I was very happy to be on pole," Verstappen said after qualifying on Saturday.

Asked if he would get emotional after his final race in the RB19, which helped him break several records this season, the Dutchman said: "Let's see, I have no clue how good we will be in the race, normally we are quite decent. It's been a very special season."

Verstappen has long wrapped up a third world title, and on Sunday can end the season in style with a single season record-extending 19th victory from only 22 races.

The Dutchman clocked 1min 23.445sec in his first flying lap of Q3. He didn't improve in his second attempt, but held his position after Charles Leclerc of Ferrari missed the top spot by 0.139 of a second. Piastri in the McLaren was third.

Leclerc said: "Considering the weekend we've had until now, I did not expect it at all. The last lap, I had to put everything together. In Q1 and Q2, I was worried about going through, and in the end a front row which is amazing."

The Monegasque will play an important role for Ferrari in Sunday's race, as the Italian team aim to snatch second place in the constructors' championship from Mercedes, behind champions Red Bull.

The German outfit are just four points ahead of Ferrari and had a good qualifying with George Russell in fourth, but Lewis Hamilton was only 11th.

Ferrari, however, also had a setback as Carlos Sainz was out in Q1 and will start the race in 16th.

Russell will be followed by Lando Norris in the other McLaren, Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri and the Alpine of Fernando Alonso. Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull and Pierre Gasly of Alpine completed the top 10.

Australia's Daniel Ricciardo will start in 15th for Alpha Tauri.

Australian Associated Press