Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen and Piastri to have potential edge over Norris in Abu Dhabi

13:01, 04 Dec

byTobia Elia

The three title contenders have shared their thoughts on how pressure could play a role this weekend in the Abu Dhabi season finale.

“I'm very relaxed. Nothing to lose, so I'm just enjoying being here”

- Max Verstappen

Among the three title contenders, the one carrying the most pressure is undoubtedly Norris, who, despite holding a significant points advantage in the standings, is also the one with the most to lose, especially in comparison with his teammate.

The Dutchman finds himself caught between the two after his victory in Qatar and McLaren’s strategic debacle, now chasing Norris with a 12-point deficit while holding a four-point lead over Piastri.

Photo: Race Pictures

Max Verstappen: 'I'm very relaxed'

Verstappen said he’s very relaxed heading into the decisive weekend, stating that he’s simply enjoying the moment and, more generally, the impressive run he’s had since the summer break. Even if he doesn’t manage to complete the job, he’s staying pretty chill about it.

“I'm very relaxed. Nothing to lose, so I'm just enjoying being here. But for me, it's not even about being here. I'm actually enjoying the second half of the season working with the team, how we've been able to turn it around from difficult times and really having a debrief after the race, being very disappointed and frustrated with the performances to just enjoying, smiling, having these wins again, It's fantastic.

“So I just take it, for me, everything here is just a bonus and sitting here fighting for the title. So that's also what makes it very straightforward for me. We will just try to have a good weekend. But then even then, it's not really in my control. So we just, like I said, try to enjoy it.”

Lando Norris: 'Similar to Max'

The championship leader also said he’s relaxed in front of the media, even though he’s facing a title decider for the first time that could crown him a world champion for the first time in his career.

“It's similar. I've obviously not been in this situation before. So pretty different, I guess, for both of us. But at the minute, I feel good. I really don't think of it at all until you guys ask it all the time. So it's trying to avoid you guys as much as possible. But it's also part of the job. So it's nothing new. It's nothing that shocks me or whatever.”

He then added: “I come into the weekend not thinking of it for the last three days, just playing some golf and being with my mates and having a good time. And I look forward to doing that on Monday, whether I'm hungover or not. it's really the same. I think I'll be the same on track as how I've been the last few weeks as much as there's still been pressure the last few weeks, I've still felt comfortable and I still feel good in the car.”

Lando Norris in Abu Dhabi - Photo: Race Pictures

Oscar Piastri: 'Let's see what happens'

The Australian also said he’s fairly relaxed, aware that he has the least to lose of the three, needing to make up a full 16 points and therefore relying on mistakes or misfortune from others.

“I'm relaxed. I've been on the opposite side of the championship battle in the junior categories, and I know what that felt, and it was pretty tough. Coming into it from the least to lose out of us three is quite different for me.

I“ think off the back of Qatar, I've got a lot of confidence that I can perform well and obviously I need a fair few things to happen this weekend to come out champion but I'll just make sure I'm in the right place in the right time and see what happens.”

Norris opens up on McLaren imposing team orders on Piastri in Abu Dhabi

Norris has commented on the possibility of his teammate being given team orders in the Abu Dhabi race to help him secure the title, stating that it hasn’t been discussed internally within the team.

The Briton said he “would love” to see such a scenario play out, but at the same time he didn’t want to take on the responsibility of deciding for his teammate, as that would be a decision for McLaren to make.

Here’s what he said at the Abu Dhabi press conference.

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