Lando Norris took pole for the season finale Lando Norris took pole for the season finale 
Lando Norris said it was a "perfect day" for McLaren as they locked out the front of the grid in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (More Motorsport News)
Norris took pole – 0.208 seconds ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri in second – to give the team, who currently hold a 21-point lead in the constructors' championship, the best possible chance of their first title since 1998.
"It was a perfect, perfect day for us," said Norris. "Probably a little bit tougher than we were hoping for, we’ve been quick all weekend.
"We were pleased with the one-two, but it was a bit trickier than what we would have liked. My lap in the end was strong, and it was just how we wanted to end today."
But despite the brilliant showing from the McLaren drivers, the pressure is still on with Ferrari their closest championship competition. Racing for them for the final time before a move to Williams, Carlos Sainz qualified in third, while Charles Leclerc will start the race at the back of the grid.
Leclerc had initially qualified in 13th, though saw his lap time in Q2 deleted for exceeding track limits and was given a 10-place grid penalty.
“I’m going to give it everything, already today I was pushing in qualifying like never before because I wanted pole position and to give myself a good chance for tomorrow as it might be my last battle for a win or a podium for a while," said Sainz.
“At the same time, I’m enjoying it as much as possible this last weekend, pushing flat out and tomorrow nothing to lose. We will go for it.”
IT’S POLE FOR LANDO! @LandoNorris will start the season finale from the front of the grid! #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/74psKeFr9f
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 7, 2024Norris, meanwhile, was defiant in the hunt for a title.
"We have got to beat Ferrari. That’s the aim, but we’ve got to do it in style," he said.
"I want to win. We know what we have to do so we are keeping our heads down and staying focused. We are here to win and anything is possible.
"Tomorrow we are going to have a good chance at least with one of our cars and we will be giving it everything we’ve got. We know in the back of our minds what we really have to do to achieve our big goal."
Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton will start 16th on the grid in his final race for Mercedes. Hamilton initially qualified in 18th though was promoted two places owing to penalties for Leclerc and Alex Albon.
His decisive lap in Q1 had been ruined after his car collected a bollard that had earlier been dislodged by Kevin Magnussen's Haas as he tried to get out of Hamilton's way.
"You couldn't make it up," said Hamiltonfree spins i dag, on his bad luck.
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