Max Verstappen heads into the F1 Abu Dhabi GP with a chance to make it a fifth straight Drivers’ Championship.
It comes on the back of a remarkable run in form since Zandvoort. He has not been off the podium since F1 returned to action post-summer break. Wins at the last two rounds in Las Vegas and Qatar have given him a shot at the title. He trails Lando Norris by 12 points. Oscar Piastri is 4 behind the Red Bull driver.
Max Verstappen on a moment or moments where points slipped away from him
2025 has seen the Dutchman deliver at an extraordinary level once again, cementing his place as the driver to beat on the grid. Although McLaren have had the fastest car throughout the year bar a couple of races here and there, the 70-time race winner refused to give up.
Although he admitted in Qatar his head loss in Barcelona when he hit George Russell was a mistake, Max Verstappen decided to take a general look at the events of 2025 in the Drivers’ Press Conference on Thursday when asked about potential incidents or moments he would regret should he lose his F1 crown at the Abu Dhabi GP.
“At the end of the day, of course, it’s one over 24 races. Some races go a bit better than others.
“A lot of the races we didn’t have a lot of pace or enough pace to challenge for a win, but here we are.
“So, in general, I’m just very proud of the season that we’ve done, how we’ve come back as well in the second half. So yeah, we’ll just try and keep it fun now ‘til the end.
“But yeah, to always pinpoint on one particular moment is a hard one.”
A very relaxed Max Verstappen approaches the F1 Abu Dhabi GP finale
It has been a superb turnaround from Red Bull Racing since Zandvoort. Although Verstappen finished P2 that day, McLaren were in another planet on pace. 5 wins in the last 8 Grands Prix has seen Verstappen cut the championship lead from 104 to 12 points.
Feeling totally relaxed and with a mindset of nothing to lose, the 28-year-old outlined how proud he was of his team turning their year around.
While McLaren continue to have the fastest car, they have shot themselves in the foot on multiple occasions. Verstappen has not needed a second invitation to take advantage of it.
“I’m very relaxed. Nothing to lose, you know? So, I’m just enjoying being here.
“But for me, it’s not even about being here. I’ve been enjoying the second half of the season, working with the team, how we’ve been able to turn it around from difficult times and really having a debrief after the race, being very disappointed and frustrated with the performances to just enjoying, smiling. Having these wins again is fantastic.
“So, I just take it – everything here is just a bonus, sitting here fighting for the title. So that’s also what makes it very straightforward for me.
“We will just try to have a good weekend. But then even then, it’s not really in my control, you know?
“So we just, yeah, like I said, try to enjoy it.”
