“It’s been a long season in terms of Saturday afternoons,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner at Yas Marina of his team's qualifying record this year. But there was finally some Saturday joy for Red Bull in 2020, as Max Verstappen became the first non-Mercedes-powered runner to take pole position this season, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Verstappen, who's started 13 times in the top three previously this season but never on pole, had looked on the pace all weekend, going fastest in Free Practice 1 and 3 – although there was always a lingering feeling that Mercedes, having taken every pole position at Yas Marina since 2014, were simply keeping the powder dry.