Provisional starting grid | Can Ferrari give Mercedes a hard time?

Max Verstappen, also in the final race of the Formula 1 season, starts in pole position. The Dutchman was fastest in Q3 during qualifying in Abu Dhabi. It is a particularly exciting race for teams Ferrari and Mercedes. The Italian Scuderia are just four points behind the team of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

While Verstappen starts on P1, teammate Sergio Perez has to start from seventh. Charles Leclerc will start from second place and try to score a lot of points for Ferrari. Russell starts from fourth place, and together with Hamilton, he should, therefore not let Ferrari make up more than four points.

Conditions may not be optimal for Ferrari as Carlos Sainz starts from 16th spot. Hamilton starts from P11, which could ensure advantages for Mercedes. AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda impressed in qualifying, starting from P6 on Sunday. McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris start from P3 and P5.