Red Bull stated that they “couldn’t have done more” to support Max Verstappen in securing the F1 championship during the season’s final race. Despite Verstappen winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he narrowly missed out on claiming his fifth straight F1 title. Lando Norris finished third at the Yas Marina circuit, a result sufficient for him to claim his first F1 drivers’ championship.
Verstappen led the race from pole position, maintaining a lead over Oscar Piastri in the early stages. Norris made an early pit stop to counter George Russell’s undercut attempt, then skillfully navigated through a highly competitive midfield, which included Verstappen’s teammate Hiroki Tsunoda. With McLaren’s speed outpacing both Ferrari and Mercedes, Norris comfortably secured the vital third place.
Before the race, there was speculation that Verstappen might purposely hold up the McLarens to help Charles Leclerc and Russell finish ahead of Norris, but after the race, Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies defended their approach, saying their focus was solely on their own performance. Mekies praised the team’s flawless execution, highlighting Verstappen’s dominant pole position and excellent tire management, and insisted they could not have done any better given they cannot control what happens behind them.
Although Verstappen didn’t clinch the title, Red Bull celebrated his remarkable comeback. After trailing Piastri by 104 points post-Dutch Grand Prix in August, Verstappen triumphed in six of the last nine races, finishing just two points shy of Norris. Mekies, who assumed the team principal role mid-season, credited the team’s resurgence and superior car performance at the Abu Dhabi race. He expressed pride in the team’s efforts and the thrilling championship fight that lasted until the final lap of the final race, congratulating Lando Norris on a hard-fought victory and promising to strive harder next season.
Fan Take: This dramatic conclusion underscores the intense competitiveness and unpredictability that keep F1 captivating for fans worldwide. Verstappen’s relentless charge and Norris’s breakthrough signal an exciting era ahead, promising thrilling battles and fresh rivalries that will energize the sport.
