P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen hopes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is not “straightforward” for McLaren as he bids to beat Lando Norris to the Formula 1 title – and he could take matters into his own hands
Max Verstappen hopes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix won’t be easy for McLaren in his quest to beat Lando Norris for the Formula 1 title. He is prepared to play a role in making it a challenging race for Norris if necessary. Although Verstappen secured pole position, Norris leads the championship by 12 points and will start alongside him on the front row.
For Verstappen to win his fifth title in a row, he needs Norris to finish off the podium, necessitating a strategic race. Verstappen might have to rely on support from drivers like Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Fernando Alonso seated behind him on the grid. By controlling the pace and backing up the pack behind him, he could complicate Norris’s and Piastri’s races.
Russell believes Verstappen won’t make it easy for Norris, considering the circumstances. Verstappen acknowledges the possibility of such tactics but notes changes in the track layout and more robust tires as factors that could affect their effectiveness. Therefore, Verstappen might need to adopt a different approach to disrupt Norris’s race and improve his own chances of winning the title.
