- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211211144535-verstappen-tease.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211211144535-verstappen-tease.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
" data-check-event-based-preview="" data-is-vertical-video-embed="false" data-network-id="" data-publish-date="2021-11-22T15:12:33Z" data-video-section="sport" data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2021/11/22/christian-horner-qatar-grand-prix-red-bull-racing-f1-spt-intl.cnn" data-branding-key="" data-video-slug="christian horner qatar grand prix red bull racing f1 spt intl" data-first-publish-slug="christian horner qatar grand prix red bull racing f1 spt intl" data-video-tags="amanda davies,auto racing,christian horner,companies,continents and regions,formula one,max verstappen,middle east,middle east and north africa,misc people,motor sports organizations,motorsports,qatar,red bull gmbh,sports and recreation,sports figures,sports organizations and teams" data-details="">
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 11: Pole position qualifier Max of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 11, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Christian Horner: Red Bull aren't the favorites for F1 title
04:36 - Source: CNN
International Motorsport 15 videos
- Source: CNN " data-fave-thumbnails="{"big": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211211144535-verstappen-tease.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" }, "small": { "uri": "https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/211211144535-verstappen-tease.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_540,w_960,c_fill" } }" data-vr-video="false" data-show-html="" data-byline-html="
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
" data-check-event-based-preview="" data-is-vertical-video-embed="false" data-network-id="" data-publish-date="2021-11-22T15:12:33Z" data-video-section="sport" data-canonical-url="https://www.cnn.com/videos/sports/2021/11/22/christian-horner-qatar-grand-prix-red-bull-racing-f1-spt-intl.cnn" data-branding-key="" data-video-slug="christian horner qatar grand prix red bull racing f1 spt intl" data-first-publish-slug="christian horner qatar grand prix red bull racing f1 spt intl" data-video-tags="amanda davies,auto racing,christian horner,companies,continents and regions,formula one,max verstappen,middle east,middle east and north africa,misc people,motor sports organizations,motorsports,qatar,red bull gmbh,sports and recreation,sports figures,sports organizations and teams" data-details="">
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 11: Pole position qualifier Max of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 11, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Christian Horner: Red Bull aren't the favorites for F1 title
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Lewis Hamilton sits down with CNN Sport's Coy Wire for an interview ahead of the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton speaks to CNN Sport about diversity and fighting for an eighth F1 title
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 and Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 lead the field into turn one at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 20, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
CNN Sport speaks with head of Formula Equal, as it plans to become sport's first 50/50 gender ratio team
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Ducati Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia celebrates as he won the World Championship's title after the Valencia MotoGP Grand Prix race at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste, near Valencia, on November 6, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
2022 MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia previews the new season with CNN
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Fernando Alonso Video tease image
Fernando Alonso eyes 'magical' podium finish as he embarks on new challenge with Aston Martin
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Max Verstappen seen during a photo shoot of the kit launch of Red Bull Racing in London, United Kingdom in 2023. // Red Bull Racing / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202301310410 // Usage for editorial use only //
Max Verstappen speaks to CNN ahead of 2023 F1 season
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Dania Akeel
Dania Akeel: Meet the Saudi woman taking on the Dakar Rally
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Sam Schmidt traveled to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN to meet with Dr Michael Goldfarb Vanderbilt University who is the H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering.
How tech allows this paralyzed former racing driver to hit the track again
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 19: George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes waves to the crowd on the drivers parade ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 19, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Mercedes driver George Russell speaks to CNN ahead of the 2022 British Grand Prix
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Alpine F1 looks on in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on June 30, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Fernando Alonso: Former two-time world champion sits down with CNN Sport
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton (L) and and NFL quarterback Tom Brady attend the Big Pilot Charity Challenge at the Miami Beach Golf Club, in Miami Beach, Florida on May 4, 2022. (Photo by Giorgio VIERA / AFP) (Photo by GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images)
Tom Brady and Lewis Hamilton on legendary careers and mutual admiration
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives during the second practice session ahead of the 2022 Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 25, 2022. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)
Charles Leclerc on 2022 season so far
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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09 baja 1000 racing experience california Mexico spt intl cmd 121321
The Baja 1000: ?An unforgettable race adventure
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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video thumbnail max verstappen
Max Verstappen on becoming Formula 1 World Champion
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Published 11:54 AM EST, Sat December 11, 2021
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 07, 2021 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
NASCAR champion Kyle Larson experiences the lowest-lows and the highest-highs
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Max Verstappen will start on pole position for his title showdown against Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Red Bull driver was fastest in qualifying on Saturday with his Mercedes rival in second, meaning the pair will line up on the front row together for the last race of the season.

“I’m incredibly happy with this. It’s what we wanted but it was not easy with Mercedes’ form,” Verstappen said after qualification, after going 0.371 seconds faster than Hamilton.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, that’s the most important.”

Both drivers are level on points going into the dramatic finale and not many expected Verstappen to be leading the grid after Hamilton looked so dominant in practice.

Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 collide during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 05, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda and Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 collide during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 05, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Lars Baron/Getty Images

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But Red Bull and Verstappen pieced together a masterful Q3 to record an unassailable time of 1 minute and 22.109 seconds.

“Max did a great lap today. We just couldn’t compete with that time at the end there,” Hamilton said.

“It was looking really strong through practice. We couldn’t answer to that lap, fantastic from him. I hope we can have a good race.

“The last lap was nice and clean, I just couldn’t go any quicker. I couldn’t beat the time he did today, he fully deserved the pole.”

The rivalry between the two drivers has simmered all season, bubbling over at various points, but the stage is now perfectly set for the finale on Sunday.

Hamilton is bidding for his eighth world title while Verstappen is aiming for his first.