The final qualifying session of the F1 season has wrapped up, featuring an intense one-lap showdown. Saturday night’s checkered flag at the conclusion of qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix closed a year-long competition for dominance among the teams.
Both drivers from each team managed to outperform their teammates in qualifying, yet remarkably, no team had both drivers separated within a single lap. Here’s the head-to-head qualifying matchup summary across 24 rounds:
McLaren – Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri
- Grand Prix: Norris leads 13-11 over Piastri
- Sprint: Piastri leads 4-2 over Norris
Ferrari – Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton
- Grand Prix: Leclerc dominates 19-5 against Hamilton
- Sprint: Leclerc leads 4-2
Red Bull – Max Verstappen vs Yuki Tsunoda
- Grand Prix: Verstappen unbeatable at 22-0 versus Tsunoda
- Sprint: Verstappen leads 3-1 over Tsunoda
- Verstappen also outqualifies Lawson: Grand Prix 2-0, Sprint 1-0
Mercedes – George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli
- Grand Prix: Russell leads 21-3 against Antonelli
- Sprint: Russell leads 4-2
Aston Martin – Fernando Alonso vs Lance Stroll
- Grand Prix: Alonso completely dominant at 24-0
- Sprint: Alonso leads 5-1
Alpine – Pierre Gasly vs Franco Colapinto
- Grand Prix: Gasly leads 13-5
- Sprint: Gasly 4-0
- Guthrie outqualifies Doohan as well: Grand Prix 5-1, Sprint tied 1-1
Haas – Esteban Ocon vs Olly Bearman
- Grand Prix: Bearman edges Ocon 14-10
- Sprint: Bearman leads 4-2
Racing Bulls – Liam Lawson vs Isaac Hajar
- Grand Prix: Hajar leads 16-6 over Lawson
- Sprint: Hajar dominates 5-0
- Kakuda vs Hajar: Grand Prix tied 1-1, Sprint Kakuda leads 1-0
Williams – Alex Albon vs Carlos Sainz
- Grand Prix: Sainz leads 14-9* (both disqualified at Singapore GP)
- Sprint: Tied at 3-3
Sauber – Nico Hulkenberg vs Gabriel Bortleto
- Grand Prix: Tied at 12-12
- Sprint: Tied at 3-3
Fan Take: This comprehensive breakdown highlights the fierce intra-team battles that fuel F1’s competitive spirit, showing not only team supremacy but individual prowess. For racing enthusiasts, these stats offer a deeper insight into driver consistency and could signal emerging talents or team dynamics crucial for the future of the sport.
