Max Verstappen grabs his 12th pole this season at Abu Dhabi

Former Argentine footballer Sergio Aguero (left) presents the pole position award to Max Verstappen on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen took pole position for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he bids for a record-extending 19th success this season in the final race.

The Dutch three-time world champion finished ahead of Monaco's Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari and Australian Oscar Piastri of McLaren. "The whole weekend so far has been a bit of a struggle, but we definitely improved the car for qualifying," said Verstappen, after securing his 12th pole position of the season.

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Verstappen and Red Bull have claimed the driver and constructor world titles, with the final race a battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the team runner-up place.

Ferrari have the upper hand as Leclerc starts just ahead of Britain's George Russell of Mercedes on Sunday. The second Mercedes of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton starts from 11th position with the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, in 16th place.

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