Max Verstappen is primed for the climax of the 2025 season. The Dutchman, with his pole position, will start the final race of the year from the most coveted spot, but he has the two McLaren drivers hot on his heels. However, for Verstappen, this changes nothing about his approach to the Grand Prix: ‘I have nothing to lose, so we’re going all out,’ he says.
The day of reckoning has arrived! After the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, the 2025 champion will be known. Max Verstappen landed the first blow during the Saturday qualifying, not just with one, but two fast laps that were good enough for the pole position. The Dutchman will therefore start the decisive race just ahead of his closest title rivals, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen is ready for battle at the start. “They’d better watch out,” warns the reigning world champion McLaren, speaking to Viaplay. “I have nothing to lose, so we’re going all out. If we need to defend, we will defend. If we need to attack, we will attack. And we will do it with pleasure. That’s the most important thing.”
Luck
Whether Verstappen will return home with the world cup at the end of Sunday at the Yas Marina Circuit depends not only on his own performance. Norris also cannot finish higher than fourth place. “Let’s see what we can do,” continues the Dutch champion. “Of course, I’m going to try to win the race, but I also know that we need to try to score as many points as possible to still win the championship. So we need some luck regarding what happens behind us.”
