Verstappen vs the McLarens: there’s only one man who isn’t thinking about it
All the other seventeen F1 drivers are also looking forward to the finale of the title fight in Abu Dhabi. Some drivers have already indicated they’ll be paying a bit more attention to the screens during the race, while the top three themselves remained extremely cool.
In the Abu Dhabi paddock on Thursday, there was only one topic: the title battle between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. Of course, every driver and every team still has something to fight for, but a title fight that goes down to the final race doesn’t happen often—let alone between three drivers.
And so, during Thursday’s media sessions, the title fight came up in almost every conversation. Sometimes it was about who’s considered the favorite for the title, at other times about the fact that there’s a three-way fight going to the very last day.
Bortoleto believes in a title for Verstappen
Gabriel Bortoleto, for example, spoke out about his friend Max Verstappen. “He deserves it,” the Brazilian said, as he was the first up on Thursday to have his say. His teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, also had a slight preference for the man he often boards the same plane with.
It was a different story one hospitality suite over. Carlos Sainz, who has had both Norris and Verstappen as teammates, put his faith in Norris. According to the Spaniard, the Yas Marina Circuit is a typical Norris track.
And Sainz would know. The Williams driver spent several years racing against Norris at McLaren and says he always had a tough time against the Brit. Norris took pole position for the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP and also won the race. In the years before, a fifth place had been his best result.
Two other drivers seemed to be enjoying the title fight mainly as fans. Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto said they might watch the screens a bit more during the race. Around the paddock it became clear that most drivers themselves are huge fans of a thrilling F1 season finale.
Not everyone, though. During Lance Stroll’s media session, the title fight came up as well, but it quickly became clear he wasn’t enjoying a unique moment in the sport. “No, I’m not really interested in that,” Stroll said, clearly uninterested—mainly because, in his words, Aston Martin isn’t part of the fight.
There were no fireworks yet in the press conference with the three title contenders themselves either. The difference between Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers was evident. Verstappen appears very relaxed. “I’ve already got four of those trophies at home,” he joked, making it clear that for him, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Norris and Piastri under pressure
It’s a different story for Norris and Piastri, who could both claim their first world title. Naturally, that plays a role on a weekend like this, as Fernando Alonso—who has been through moments like these often enough—also pointed out.
Verstappen already said in Qatar that, with four world titles in his pocket, he’s more relaxed in this fight than the McLarens. Not only does he have the calm that it doesn’t need to happen, he also has the experience of what it takes to become champion—something the McLaren drivers don’t have.
Still, a driver’s character also plays a role, according to Max. In Norris his situation, he says he would be calm. Going into the final race with the fastest car in the field and a points lead—Verstappen would gladly take that himself.
Because anyone pointing to 2021 and talking about the tension Verstappen felt then gets a rebuttal from the four-time world champion: “But I didn’t have the fastest car then.” Verstappen went into the final weekend of that season level on points but says he had an inferior car to Lewis Hamilton. A different situation, then, to what the McLaren drivers face.
Who ultimately walks away with the title will only become clear on Sunday. One thing, however, is certain: everyone will be watching, because a decisive world title race with three contenders is something almost everyone wants to see.
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