The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying session was a pivotal moment for McLaren, and as the team reflects, we've positioned ourselves quite strongly to challenge for the World Championship. But here's where it gets interesting: despite our promising performance, reaching the top spot in qualifying proved to be a tough feat this year, and the final results showcased just how competitive this season has become.
On Saturday at the Yas Marina Circuit, drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, along with Team Principal Andrea Stella, shared their insights after the qualifying rounds, giving fans an inside look at the team's efforts and mindset heading into the race.
During Free Practice 3, Norris clocked a time of 1 minute, 23.338 seconds, narrowly missing first place by just 0.004 seconds, and completed 20 laps, finishing second overall. Norris commented, "We did everything we could today, but unfortunately, the car's pace wasn't enough to secure pole position. I was quite happy with my lap, but naturally, there's some disappointment about not being on the front row for the last race of the season. Our focus now is entirely on performing at our best tomorrow. Of course, my goal remains to win, and I will do everything I can to make that happen."
Piastri, in the same session, recorded a time of 1 minute, 23.593 seconds over 17 laps, finishing fifth. His statement reflected a positive outlook: "I believe we maximized our efforts in qualifying today. Personally, I was satisfied with my Q3 laps, even if they weren't quite enough to beat Max. Our long-run pace seemed solid, so I’m optimistic about tomorrow. My focus is on delivering a strong race, and we’ll see where that takes us."
The team's inside perspective emphasizes how both drivers have truly pushed their limits throughout this tight and competitive qualifying session. The McLaren App offers fans a chance to experience the cockpit perspective, adding an extra layer of excitement and insight.
Team boss Andrea Stella summed up the mood: "The final qualifying of the year exemplifies the tight competition we’ve seen all season—Lando and Oscar have both demonstrated exceptional skill. Overall, we’re reasonably satisfied, as the drivers extracted maximum performance from the car. We now stand in a strong position to contend for the championship in the race tomorrow. We’re mindful that other highly competitive drivers are starting alongside us on the grid, but as a team, it is within our control. We will focus on maintaining this promising position and preparing meticulously to ensure that the reward ultimately goes to a driver from our team as the chequered flag falls."
