🔗 Share this article

Following a pivotal victory at the Lusail Grand Prix, the reigning world champion has substantially closed the gap in the title race. Now sitting just twelve points behind leader the British driver and leading teammate Oscar Piastri, everything is in place for a nail-biting three-way season finale at the famous Yas Marina Circuit.

A Triumph Crafted by Timing and Execution.

The Dutchman's Qatar win was not at all straightforward. Although he delivered a superb drive for Red Bull, the race outcome was heavily influenced by a controversial strategic decision from the McLaren team. Choosing not to pit during an initial safety car period, the team effectively gifted the advantage to Verstappen, who capitalized without hesitation.

"I'm looking forward to it, I'm happy to go there and give it my best shot," the driver said. "I go in there with just optimism. I try everything I can but at the same time, if I don't win it, I still know that I had an incredible season."

This outlook as he puts it alleviates the pressure. His focus for the last race is straightforward: to extract each opportunity from himself and the RB21.

An Improbable Comeback Powered by Innovation and Unity.

The incredible part of this late-season charge particularly notable is the distance he has fought back. After the Dutch Grand Prix in late August, he was an enormous 104 points behind the then-leader his rival and had publicly written off his championship hopes.

The turnaround began with major car developments introduced by his team at the Monza. Adjustments to the car's floor and front wing rectified persistent handling problems, allowing Verstappen to push to the limit with the car once more.

From then on, his performance has been nothing short of spectacular, achieving five victories and multiple podiums. He was eager to praise the unified work behind this resurgence.

"We have achieved victories where maybe it seemed unlikely, by executing the optimal strategy as a team," he noted. "My collaboration with my team on the pit wall and the whole team... we are perfectly synchronized."

The Scenario for a Memorable Finale.

As the teams head to Abu Dhabi, the points situation is crystal clear.

• The championship leader is in position to win his debut world title if he finishes ahead of both his two rivals or takes a place on the rostrum.
• The challenger must win and needs that Norris finishes off the podium.
• The third contender, who is by 16 points, has to win the race and witness his teammate place outside the top five.

The intensity now shifts on McLaren, who have watched a comfortable advantage disappear due to costly errors, including a double disqualification in Las Vegas. For Verstappen, the situation creates an atmosphere of liberation, turning the ultimate Grand Prix into a straight opportunity to attack with everything to gain.