{"id":330029,"date":"2025-12-07T09:26:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T09:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/330029\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T09:26:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T09:26:38","slug":"could-other-f1-drivers-get-involved-with-title-contenders-at-abu-dhabi-gp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/330029\/","title":{"rendered":"Could other F1 drivers get involved with title contenders at Abu Dhabi GP?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The stage is set for a potentially enthralling Formula 1 title decider with each championship contender starting in the top three for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen<\/a> is on pole, championship leader Lando Norris<\/a> joins him on the front row while third-placed Oscar Piastri<\/a> lines up third.<\/p>\n

It was inevitable that it would happen this way and it probably suits Norris the most, considering all he needs is a podium to clinch his maiden title. But the grid is tight, less than a second separated the cars in Q3, and there is always the potential for somebody to come in and cause havoc which is the last thing McLaren<\/a> needs.<\/p>\n

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The man most likely to do so is George Russell<\/a>, who will join Piastri on the second row and the Mercedes<\/a> driver was even pushing Red Bull to give him a tow in Q3 because he knows Verstappen needs all the outside help he can get to win a fifth championship.<\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Why George Russell asked for Max Verstappen tow: Red Bull \u201cneed somebody in the mix” <\/a><\/p>\n

Russell has also been highly impressive in 2025, arguably the best driver behind Verstappen, maximising the most out of his Mercedes with wins in Canada and Singapore. He even thinks there \u201ccould be an opportunity\u201d to add a third victory to his 2025 CV, because the Dutchman\u2019s pole perhaps came as a surprise considering Q3 was the first session he topped all weekend.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMy mood is the same as any other race,\u201d Russell told Sky Sports F1. \u201cObviously I know what’s on the line for those three, but you just got to treat it like a normal race. I think in normal circumstances we don’t have to pace but obviously if lap one finishes in the order we start the race, I can’t imagine Max just driving off into the sunset.\u201d<\/p>\n

So obviously it comes as no surprise that the Briton will do all he can to end the ground-effect era on a high, even if it means costing one of the top three the championship.<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes\"George<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there’s an opportunity and if there’s a gap, if this was race one of the season I wouldn’t be aiming to do anything reckless, but I’m not going to leave opportunities on the table,\u201d added Russell.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI also want to finish on the podium. I also want to finish the season on a high and I’ve got to be honest, I won’t sleep better or worse no matter who wins the championship. So I’ll be doing my own thing and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is unlikely that another driver may have any bearing on the championship fight, because starting fifth is Charles Leclerc who has largely struggled with his Ferrari in Abu Dhabi<\/a>. So him starting high up is a shock, especially when team-mate Lewis Hamilton<\/a> dropped out of Q1, but if the Monegasque does find himself fighting with the cars ahead, then the man fifth in the championship will also ignore the title fight just like Russell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t even want to know all the scenarios because it’s quite stressful to be in that position, and in my head there will be none of that going into tomorrow’s race,\u201d said Leclerc.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe only thing that will be in my head is how can I maximise my performance and the result of Ferrari<\/a>. If that means doing everything at that particular moment when they are behind to try and slow them down, I’ll do that.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that means not fighting with them because for my strategy it’s better to not fight with them, I won’t fight them and none of that championship title thing will be in my head \u2013 because it’s not my job to be here to favour one or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari\"Charles<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n

But Fernando Alonso<\/a>, who starts sixth, seems to care a little more about the championship fight as the Aston Martin driver claimed his target is to not make the headlines.<\/p>\n

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When asked if he wants to be a factor in the fight up ahead, the two-time F1 champion said: \u201cNot really. I hope to be as far as possible from the fight. Well, not too far because I want to win the points. But, yeah, not in the news on Monday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alonso still wants to maximise his race considering Aston Martin is deep in the midfield fight, 12 points behind sixth-placed Racing Bulls<\/a> and seven ahead of eighth-placed Haas. Despite that, he also claimed that he will be trying to catch the battle between Verstappen and the McLarens \u201ca lot\u201d on the Yas Marina big screens.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s a very easy circuit: Turn 3, you have a screen that is in the middle of your view. Turn 5, you have a screen on the inside,\u201d added Alonso. \u201cTurn 7, on the outside. Turn 9, there are two. One on entry, one on exit. So, plenty of screens! Tomorrow is going to be a fantastic show for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Additional reporting by Filip Cleeren and Ronald Vording<\/p>\n

Photos from Abu Dhabi GP – Practice & QualifyingMax Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams\"Oliver<\/p>\n

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Flavio Briatore, Alpine Team Principal\"Flavio<\/p>\n

Flavio Briatore, Alpine Team Principal<\/p>\n

Jayce Illman \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz, Williams\"Carlos<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Pierre Gasly, Alpine\"Pierre<\/p>\n

Pierre Gasly, Alpine<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari\"Arthur<\/p>\n

Arthur Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari<\/p>\n

Jayce Illman \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Ahmad AlShehab \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Franco Colapinto, Alpine\"Franco<\/p>\n

Franco Colapinto, Alpine<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jenson Button\"Jenson<\/p>\n

Jenson Button<\/p>\n

Ahmad AlShehab \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber\"Gabriel<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Alexander Albon, Williams\"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Albon, Williams<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team\"Oliver<\/p>\n

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari\"Charles<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz, Williams\"Carlos<\/p>\n

Carlos Sainz, Williams<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Pierre Gasly, Alpine\"Pierre<\/p>\n

Pierre Gasly, Alpine<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber\"Gabriel<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team\"Isack<\/p>\n

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Charles<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Mika Hakkinen\"Mika<\/p>\n

Mika Hakkinen<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team\"Esteban<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri, McLaren\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing\"Yuki<\/p>\n

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team\"Esteban<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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George Russell, Mercedes\"George<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri, McLaren\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n

Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Beata Zawrzel \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Alexander Albon, Williams\"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Albon, Williams<\/p>\n

Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Clive Mason \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari crash\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari crash<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Car of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari after his crash\"Car<\/p>\n

Car of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari after his crash<\/p>\n

Beata Zawrzel \/ NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Sam Bagnall \/ Sutton Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari after his crash\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari after his crash<\/p>\n

Mark Sutton \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes\"George<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n

Sam Bloxham \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Clive Mason \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team\"Liam<\/p>\n

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes\"George<\/p>\n

George Russell, Mercedes<\/p>\n

Clive Mason \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing\"Fernando<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n

Clive Rose \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari\"Charles<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Andy Hone\/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams\"Esteban<\/p>\n

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Alexander Albon, Williams<\/p>\n

Jayce Illman \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Mark Thompson \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing\"Fernando<\/p>\n

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing<\/p>\n

Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Andrej Isakovic \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Clive Mason \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Zak Mauger \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber\"Gabriel<\/p>\n

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber<\/p>\n

Guido De Bortoli \/ LAT Images via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Oscar Piastri, McLaren\"Oscar<\/p>\n

Oscar Piastri, McLaren<\/p>\n

Clive Mason \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari\"Charles<\/p>\n

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Mario Renzi – Formula 1 – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren\"Lando<\/p>\n

Lando Norris, McLaren<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari\"Lewis<\/p>\n

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari<\/p>\n

Peter Fox \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing<\/p>\n

Bryn Lennon \/ Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Max Verstappen: My ability under pressure key to F1 Abu Dhabi GP pole <\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

McLaren sure Max Verstappen will play fair in F1 2025 title showdown <\/a><\/p>\n

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The stage is set for a potentially enthralling Formula 1 title decider with each championship contender starting in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":330030,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[441],"tags":[49,48,3025,578,930,576,577,3024,3484,7935,591,932,1885,1882,2190,26569,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-330029","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-formula-1","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-charles-leclerc","11":"tag-f1","12":"tag-ferrari","13":"tag-formula-1","14":"tag-formula1","15":"tag-george-russell","16":"tag-getty-images","17":"tag-haas","18":"tag-lando-norris","19":"tag-lewis-hamilton","20":"tag-max-verstappen","21":"tag-red-bull","22":"tag-red-bull-racing","23":"tag-scuderia-ferrari","24":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=330029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/330029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/330030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=330029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=330029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=330029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}