Verstappen to take a page from Hamilton's book? Driver explains challenge

Max Verstappen can't solely rely on winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the 2025 Formula 1 world champion. Will the Dutchman be inspired by his former title rival's approach?

In 2016, Lewis Hamilton was behind his teammate Nico Rosberg in the standings ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The British driver held up the pack behind, so that other drivers would have the chance to overtake Rosberg.

Verstappen is currently in a similar scenario. In order for Verstappen to defend his world title, Lando Norris would have to finish fourth or lower today.

When asked about Hamilton's approach, Verstappen said: "Yeah. It was also a different layout. I feel like now you get towed around a lot more around the lap, so it’s probably not as easy to do something like that.

Verstappen will start from pole position in Abu Dhabi - Photo: Race Pictures

"Cars also are completely different to back then. I felt like it was a lot easier back then to back it up because the tyres would overheat a lot when you would get close. I remember even in 2016, in some qualifying laps, you couldn’t go flat out in Sector 1 to keep the tyres alive in the last sector—which actually was here, for example."

The four-time world champion concluded: "So yeah, very different times. I hope it’s not straightforward, the race—but hopefully that’s not because of me!"

The season finale begins at 13:00 BST / 14:00 CET at the Yas Marina Circuit today. Follow the session live with GPblog here!

Read also

Russell confirms: this approach for Verstappen is very much possible

The provisional starting grid for the championship-deciding Abu Dhabi GP

McLaren prepared for trick up Verstappen's sleeve scenario in Abu Dhabi

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