Max Verstappen appears relaxed before the finale of the 2025 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, even in the face of the scenario that McLaren could rely on team orders between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the fight for the world title.
“It’s always better than not winning at all,” he says. “When you’re sitting at home in 20 years, you’ll still have this trophy in your closet. That’s all that matters.”
The Dutchman, who is aiming for a fifth championship in a row, is twelve points behind championship leader Lando Norris before the decisive race at the Yas Marina Circuit. Oscar Piastri is another four points behind.
McLaren leaves the team order question open
The starting position is clear: If Verstappen wins, a podium place would be enough for Norris to be crowned world champion for the first time.
Since the gaps in Abu Dhabi are traditionally small, it is quite possible that Norris will need support from his teammate Piastri in the race, for example if he ends up in fourth place or worse in the final phase.
Norris and Piastri emphasized on Thursday in Abu Dhabi that there had not yet been any discussion within the team about possible stable management. Still, Piastri is expected to help his McLaren team-mate once his own title chances are realistically gone.
Verstappen is on his own
Verstappen doesn’t want to judge whether he believes Norris’ statement that he won’t actively ask for team orders on Sunday and whether Piastri would stick to it if he did: “We’ll see! That’s impossible to predict in advance.”
“I can’t go in [Oscars] After everything that’s happened this season, I really don’t know,” he explains. For him, team order doesn’t play a role. The Dutchman has practically competed alone against the two in recent races, as teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggled to keep up.
He has to create the conditions for a possible title win on Sunday himself – and win. But that’s exactly what four-time champion has certain doubts about.
Chance of winning in Abu Dhabi? Verstappen has doubts
After all, McLaren was actually dominant in Qatar and only lost an almost certain victory for Piastri and a podium for Norris through a failed strategy. “I don’t think I’m saying anything funny when I say they had the best car,” says Verstappen.
“And I think this will be a good course for them too. We just have to try to get the most out of our car. That’s the only thing we can do and then we have to hope we’re close enough.”