Abu Dhabi GP: Lando Norris braced for ‘every thing’ in F1 title decider with risk of Max Verstappen backing-up techniques

Lando Norris says he’ll “expect everything” in Sunday’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi for a race he begins between title rivals Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in his bid to win his maiden Formula 1 world championship.

Norris certified second to Verstappen on the Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday, with Piastri third, which means that McLaren’s championship-leading driver will begin the showdown in a title-winning place given he solely wants to complete on the rostrum to turn into champion.

A race victory alone for Verstappen, who trails Norris by 12 factors, or Piastri, who’s 16 factors behind, wouldn’t be sufficient for both challenger if the Briton completed at the very least third within the occasion his Red Bull rival received or fifth if his team-mate triumphed.

Verstappen, although, expressed hope that the 58-lap season finale would show to be “not straightforward”.

When requested in reply if he anticipated that to be the case, Norris stated: “No thought.

“Expect everything, so we’ll wait and see.”

Given he now begins from pole, the prospect of Verstappen utilizing ‘backing-up’ techniques ought to he additionally lead the race – the sort employed by Lewis Hamilton in his Abu Dhabi decider towards Nico Rosberg in 2016 – to attempt to successfully reverse Norris out of a title-winning place is one technique the Dutchman might theoretically make use of to instigate a title turnaround.

“There’s no point thinking about it too much,” stated Norris to Sky Sports F1 when requested about the opportunity of Verstappen taking part in tactical video games.

“I will sit with my guys and girls and see how we can best prepare for tomorrow and prepare for every eventuality.

“Our objective is to attempt to win the race. That’s our mindset. It will not be a easy one, in all probability probably the most sophisticated race I may need!

“I don’t need to take any risks and hopefully I can use that to my advantage.”

What did Hamilton do in 2016 and will Verstappen try the identical?

In the ultimate race of the 2016 season, Hamilton went into the Abu Dhabi season finale realizing that for him to turn into world champion he wanted to win the race with Rosberg, his Mercedes team-mate, off the rostrum – the identical state of affairs Verstappen requires to defeat Norris on Sunday.

Hamilton claimed pole from Rosberg after which led the race from the title-leading German.

But as soon as Mercedes’ pit stops had been accomplished, Hamilton slowed his tempo throughout the last stint in sections of the Yas Marina lap to permit the drivers behind the Silver Arrows to catch up, however with out permitting Rosberg to get shut sufficient within the different sections of the monitor to move.

Ultimately, whereas Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Verstappen caught them each to make for a nervy end, Rosberg crossed the road nonetheless in second behind Hamilton and claimed the title.

The top-four automobiles completed the race simply 1.7 seconds aside.

Verstappen performed down the prospect after qualifying of himself making an attempt a repeat, though didn’t rule it out.

“It was also a different layout,” stated Verstappen of a circuit which underwent modifications to assist overtaking forward of the 2021 occasion.

“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. The car is also of course completely different to back then.

“I felt prefer it was quite a bit simpler again then to again it up as a result of the tyres would overheat quite a bit if you would get shut.

“I remember even in 2016 in some qualifying laps you couldn’t go flat out in sector one to keep the tyres alive in the last sector, which actually was here for example. So yeah, it’s very different, very different times.

“I hope it is not simple the race however hopefully that is not due to me.”

‘That’s his best shot’ – Sky Sports pundits on Verstappen’s approach to the race

Sky Sports F1’s Nico Rosberg:

“The drawback is, the monitor has modified quite a bit since, so it was a lot simpler to again individuals up. It was more durable to overhaul on the time however that is his finest shot.

“He will need to do that.”

Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins:

“Max Verstappen is very good at thinking through the strategy of what the others will do as well.

“His finest likelihood, if he is in P1, is to drive as slowly as he probably can. That will damage the tyres of the fellows behind.

“Whatever he can do to hurt their tyres, by looking after his own, that’s always a good possibility.

“And, if he can damage their pit window, so their choices they’ve accessible to them below a traditional pit cease scenario, or a Safety Car scenario, and that is by conserving the pack tight, then having the tyres to go at any time when he needs to open his personal pit window.

“We saw it in Baku last year, where the McLarens drove slowly through the castle section where you can’t overtake, which is the equivalent to the hotel section here in Abu Dhabi, then push on the straight.

“So you may have the tempo to defend towards somebody however try to sluggish their total lap instances.”

‘I can not think about Max will drive off into the sundown’

Mercedes’ George Russell, who begins straight behind the three title contenders in fourth, for one is definitely anticipating Verstappen to attempt to maintain the main pack shut if he efficiently converts pole into the race lead.

Asked about his personal possibilities of getting within the combine with the highest three, Russell informed Sky Sports F1: “In normal circumstances we don’t have the pace.

“But, clearly, if lap one finishes in the identical order we begin in, I can not think about Max will drive off into the sundown.

“There could be opportunity.”

Sky Sports F1’s Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Sunday December 7
9.10am: F2 Feature Race
11am: Grand Prix Sunday: Abu Dhabi GP build-up*
1pm: THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX*
3pm: Chequered Flag: Abu Dhabi GP response*
4.30pm: Ted’s Notebook

*additionally on Sky Sports Main Event

The 2025 Formula 1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports F1 this weekend with Sunday’s race at 1pm (build-up from 11am). Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime