F1 Abu Dhabi GP live: qualifying start times and title showdown updates

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“If they are in a position where Max is on track to win, and Oscar can allow Lando… I would not want to win the championship because my teammate has withdrawn, especially if he has been my rival that year.

“When it’s obviously someone who has been number two all season, I think that’s OK. I don’t think it’s right to follow any team’s orders at this stage; you just have to accept fate.”

Asked what he would do if Piastri was put in a potentially difficult situation, Russell joked: “It’s easier to unplug the radio!”

The papaya-clad team, which won the constructors’ title in October, have opted to prioritize Norris or Piastri throughout the season. However, in a change of approach, Brown has now accepted McLaren will interfere with Sunday’s race To seal the drivers’ title.

For all the self-satisfaction reflected on the face of max verstappen And, just like that, the fiery red mist smoke mclaren Pair lando norris And oscar piastriPerhaps the first words should go to the true winner of the Qatar Grand Prix: red BullHead of laid-back strategy, Hannah Schmitz.

It was Schmitz, a 40-year-old Cambridge-educated engineer, who made the crucial call on Sunday night amidst yellow flags and confused thinking. But lap sevenAn accident and a safety car opened a door of opportunity. red BullAnd for that matter every other team on the grid went straight. mclarenHowever, he closed his eyes.

“The trophy looks the same. I have four of them at home, so it’s nice to add a fifth. I know my signatures.

“Of course you always try to win it. But at the same time, I have already achieved everything I wanted to achieve in F1, and everything else is just a bonus.

“I just keep doing it because I love it and I enjoy it. I’m very relaxed, I have nothing to lose, and I’m just enjoying being here.”

This weekend’s three-way battle in the desert is the first f1 The championship-decider has involved more than two drivers for 15 years. At that time, the four-way hammer and tongs culminated with a surprise champion at the checkered flag: sebastian vettelThe first win of four, and other surprise winners before that on the final day, are a telling case study for Sunday’s final curtain call.

Mercedes leads Red Bull by 33 points in the battle for second place in the championship.

1. mclaren – 800 points (Champions)

6. Racing Bulls – 92 points

7. Aston Martin – 80 points

“Class of 2025. We are the only people in the world who do what we do and we are incredibly fortunate for that. I am grateful for this group of drivers that I have had the privilege of racing against and even though we are competitors, there is nothing but respect between us and I am proud to call them friends.

“Hopefully I give you all a great last race of the season.”

Can Norris join this exclusive list?

1. Mike Hawthorne (1958)
2. Graham Hill (1962, 1968)
3. Jim Clark (1963, 1965)
4. John Surtees(1964)2
5. Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973)
6. James Hunt (1976)
7. Nigel Mansell (1992)
8. Damon Hill (1996)
9. Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
10. Jenson Button (2009)