George Russell says Max Verstappen will support the pack if he maintains his lead at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but the title fight is over if Lando Norris takes first place.
Verstappen starts from pole position with Norris second at the Yas Marina Circuit, with Norris able to win the title with a podium finish. Verstappen needs to win the race and have Norris outside the top three to retain his crown, and Russell expects the race to look different depending on who gets the better start.
“I mean, if we finish lap 1 in the order we start the race, then it’s definitely him [Verstappen] I’m not just going to drive into the distance and give Lando an easy podium,” said Russell. “But everything can change after Lap 1.
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“If Lando makes a good start, if he leads, the championship is over. We are not on the pace, but I am confident there will be opportunities.”
“For example, I think it’s very normal to drive behind the peloton on a street circuit. Singapore, you set the pace and then you try to widen the gap around the pit stops. So you don’t have to drive like a hooligan or dangerous to do that. You can just get three or four tenths more, and that will condense the peloton.”
“On some circuits you can easily go back half a second or a second at certain points without being dangerous, without endangering yourself. So yes, you would expect him to do that.”
Russell – who qualified fourth – had used help of his own to improve his grid position after seeing Yuki Tsunoda tow Verstappen during the opening runs of Q3. Russell asked Mercedes to put him on track behind Verstappen in case the Dutchman was not on a flying lap, as he expected a towing service would be offered to try to get another car for the McLarens.
“Well, it was more of a hint for Red Bull on their pit wall to think about it!” he said. “Because Max obviously went early in Q3 run one, so he was in a position to do that, and they clearly need someone in the mix.”
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