George Russell says Max Verstappen will again up the pack if he retains his lead at the beginning of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, however that the title struggle is over if Lando Norris will get into first place.
Verstappen begins from pole place with Norris second at Yas Marina Circuit, with Norris capable of win the title with a podium end. Verstappen must win the race and have Norris outdoors the highest three to retain his crown, and Russell expects the race to tackle a special complexion relying on who will get the higher begin.
“I imply, if we end lap 1 within the order we begin the race, then positively he’s [Verstappen] not simply going to drive off into the gap and hand Lando a straightforward podium,” Russell mentioned. “However the whole lot can change after lap 1.
“If Lando makes a superb begin, if he leads, the championship’s carried out and dusted. We’re not on the tempo, however I am assured there will be alternatives.
“I believe backing up the pack on a avenue monitor, for example, is a really regular factor to do. Singapore, you management the tempo and then you definitely attempt to lengthen the hole across the pit stops. So, you needn’t drive like a hooligan or dangerously to do this. You’ll be able to simply handle by three or 4 tenths extra, and that may condense the pack.
“At some tracks, you possibly can simply drop half a second or a second at sure factors with out being harmful, with out inflicting threat to your self. So, yeah, you’d count on him to be doing that.”
Russell – who certified fourth – had been angling from some assist of his personal to enhance his grid place, having seen Yuki Tsunoda give Verstappen a tow on the primary runs of Q3. Russell requested Mercedes get him behind Verstappen on monitor for when the Dutchman wasn’t on a flying lap, as he anticipated a tow is perhaps supplied as much as attempt to get one other automobile forward of the McLarens.
“Properly, it was extra of a touch to Pink Bull on their pit wall to kind of think about it!” he mentioned. “As a result of clearly Max went early in Q3 run one, so he type of was ready to do this, they usually clearly want someone within the combine.”
