🔗 Share this article

In the wake of a crucial victory at the Lusail Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has dramatically closed the gap in the championship standings. He now finds himself just twelve points behind leader McLaren's Lando Norris and leading teammate his McLaren rival, the scene is set for a thrilling three-way season finale at the renowned Yas Marina Circuit.

A Victory Shaped by Strategy and Seizing Opportunity.

The Dutchman's Qatar win was anything but predictable. Although he delivered a superb drive for his team, the victory was heavily influenced by a controversial strategic move from the McLaren team. Deciding not to pit during an early safety car period, McLaren inadvertently handed the initiative to Verstappen, who pounced impeccably.

"I'm excited, I'm eager to go there and have a go at it," Verstappen commented. "I go in there with just good vibes. I'll push to the limit I can but equally, should I fall short, I still know that I had an amazing season."

This philosophy as he puts it removes much of the stress. His focus for the last race is straightforward: to extract every single element from himself and the machine.

A Remarkable Turnaround Powered by Upgrades and Teamwork.

The remarkable aspect of this late-season charge so impressive is the distance he has fought back. Following the Dutch Grand Prix in August, he was a massive 104 points behind the championship leader his rival and had essentially conceded his championship hopes.

The turnaround began with major car developments introduced by Red Bull at the Italian Grand Prix. Adjustments to the vehicle's underbody and aerodynamic package finally addressed persistent handling problems, allowing Verstappen to push to the limit with the chassis once more.

From then on, his performance has been utterly dominant, achieving a quintet of triumphs and several top-three finishes. He was quick to highlight the unified work behind this resurgence.

"We have achieved victories where maybe it seemed unlikely, by making the right call as a unit," he noted. "The way I work with my team on the pit wall and the whole team... we are deeply connected."

The Equation for a Unforgettable Decider.

With the paddock head to Abu Dhabi, the mathematics is crystal clear.

• The championship leader is in position to win his debut world title if he beats both Verstappen and Piastri or takes a top-three position.
• The challenger needs victory and hope that Norris is not in the top three.
• The third contender, trailing by sixteen points, has to win the race and witness Norris finish sixth or worse.

The spotlight falls squarely on the papaya-colored cars, who have let a big points cushion slip away due to recent setbacks, including a double disqualification in Las Vegas. In his view, this position creates an atmosphere of freedom, turning the last event into a straight shot at the title with everything to gain.