Max Verstappen is aiming for his fifth Formula 1 title with Red Bull. The problem is, he’s not the only one chasing it. Lando Norris sits at the top and needs only a podium finish to be crowned champion, while Oscar Piastri refuses to give up. It promises to be a weekend packed with pressure, where mistakes are simply not allowed. Max will capitalize on this, while Lando will focus on avoiding errors. Here’s why the Dutchman’s strategy could pull off what would be a sporting miracle.
Red Bull: Max’s extraordinary skills
Is Yas Marina a simple scenario for the seven-time world champion? Absolutely not. It will be a tight battle, and the necessity to win to remain in title contention is undeniable. Yet we can confidently say that, unlike McLaren drivers, Verstappen will enjoy full team support from the very first moment. We’re talking about a group of engineers and strategists who know how to optimize a car’s performance and extract its maximum potential.
This is a context the four-time world champion hopes not to have to deal with, especially considering that, unlike the Qatar Grand Prix — which featured the last sprint race format of the season — Yas Marina offers three full practice sessions to fine-tune the car setup. It’s an ideal situation for finding the perfect balance and fully exploiting the Austrian car’s capabilities.
Then there’s the issue of pressure. Max faces it every day without issue, whereas Woking’s team, historically prone to mistakes (as shown in the last two seasons, where even with a highly competitive car, it too often failed to meet objectives), struggles in situations with virtually zero margin for error. Verstappen has nothing to lose; McLaren has everything at stake.
And this is precisely what the phenomenon will focus on throughout the weekend. Currently second in the championship, trailing leader Lando Norris by 12 points, Max, despite being unsatisfied with the setup in Qatar, crossed the finish line ahead of both MCL39s. A super victory, thanks to the team’s strategy and Max’s exceptional feel for the car, which allows him to extract maximum performance even if the setup isn’t perfect.
Verstappen’s goal: put maximum pressure on McLaren
Red Bull has prepared meticulously for this final championship round. Technically, the RB21 adapts very well to Yas Marina. Moreover, the team’s aggressive DNA will again come into play, exploiting every minor opportunity and rival uncertainty. Laurent Mekies has done exceptionally well in reigniting a spark that had faded over the past year under Christian Horner.
Let’s break it down. As mentioned, Verstappen cannot hope to claim his fifth title without winning. He also needs Oscar Piastri’s cooperation, with the Aussie finishing ahead of his teammate. What’s missing is a true second driver capable of completing the podium and taking a position from Lando — the most complicated scenario by far.
Ferrari certainly lacks the strength to achieve such a target, and perhaps even Mercedes does not fully have it, although the Brackley team has a higher chance. Therefore, it will require a sporting miracle, where on-track situations — like a timely Safety Car — could greatly help Max’s cause.
Yuki Tsunoda can’t contribute, McLaren under pressure
Red Bull lacks a second driver. We know this. Tsunoda has recently been performing well, but just two days ago he was sidelined with Isack Hadjar’s arrival for obvious reasons. This move will hardly motivate him to give everything for Max. The timing of this announcement raises further doubts. What Red Bull also needs is a slightly error-prone McLaren — a team that falters and makes a fatal mistake.
If Woking performs perfectly as they did last year, when Ferrari pressured them throughout the weekend while still fighting for the Constructors’ Championship, all of these calculations will be useless. This time, however, the stakes are personal, putting far more pressure on Norris than Abu Dhabi 2024. A finale full of drama, where Max will not let go in his pursuit of the long-awaited championship.
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