Sun Dec 07 13:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Verstappen Claims Pole Position as Alonso Jokes He’ll Watch Title Fight on Big Screens

YAS MARINA, Abu Dhabi – Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion to the Formula 1 season. However, it was Fernando Alonso who stole the show with his amusing commentary, joking that he plans to keep an eye on the title battle between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, on the various screens surrounding the Yas Marina Circuit.

Alonso, starting sixth, quipped about the abundance of screens at the track, saying he’ll have plenty of opportunities to follow the leaders’ action during his own race. “A lot, a lot, because also it’s a very easy circuit! In Turn 3, you have a screen… There’s plenty of screens. Tomorrow will be a fantastic show.”

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also holds significance for Alonso’s Aston Martin team, who are battling for position in the constructors’ championship. Alonso emphasized that their primary focus is on securing points against rivals Racing Bulls, Haas, and Sauber.

When asked about the possibility of Verstappen deliberately slowing down the McLarens to bring other drivers, like himself, into the mix, Alonso responded with a playful smirk. “I hadn’t thought about that,” he laughed. “Who knows… that’s interesting, I hadn’t thought about that. Now I have something to think about tonight.”

He added, “Sometimes if he slows down it is not enough for us to catch him. So I think he would need to slow down a lot. We will try to do our race and if the strategy is open for more open different things we will try to react.”

While Alonso intends to avoid interfering with the frontrunners, he hopes to capitalize on any opportunities to score points for Aston Martin. He said he hoped to be as far as possible from the fight, yet not to be in the news on Monday!

Verstappen, meanwhile, will look to convert his 48th career pole position into a race victory. With the McLaren drivers starting close behind, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises high drama and excitement.

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