Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Max Verstappen beats Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position for title decider

Russell looked at times as if he might become an interloper in the title fight – and he may yet be if he gets a good start – but after a messy session with a few mistakes on his laps, the Briton ended up 0.438secs off the pace in fourth.

Leclerc dragged the Ferrari into fifth after another difficult session for the team.

His lap in second qualifying was lurid, and he said over the radio that he was “surprised” to make it through because he was “driving like rallying”.

Team-mate Hamilton suffered his third consecutive knockout in the first session to end a difficult first season for Ferrari in 16th place on the grid.

Ferrari have not provided an explanation for Hamilton’s crash midway through final practice, while the Briton said he had “no answer” as to his lack of performance. He was 0.231secs behind his team-mate in the first session.

Alonso ended Aston Martin’s season on a relative high with sixth place on the grid – and in so doing became the only driver on the grid to complete a grand prix qualifying clean sweep over his team-mate.

Alonso is 24-0 over Lance Stroll, and the Canadian has beaten him only once over one lap all season, in sprint qualifying in China at the second race of the season.

Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Haas’ Esteban Ocon, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Tsunoda completed the top 10, with British Haas driver Oliver Bearman in 11th.