Lando’s nerves will decide title fight’

Max Verstappen is as relaxed as he can be.

- Sandip Sikdar

With 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, the Red Bull driver knows he is not the favourite for the 2025 Formula 1 crown. A win at Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix alone will not give him his fifth successive title.But what gives him the added benefit is that he’s been there, done that. Not once, but four times. That freedom to go for it without worrying about risks unshackled him and allowed him to push even harder to deliver a scorching lap (1:22.207) to claim pole —his eighth of the year and 48th of career — in a tense Saturday qualifying, ahead of Norris (1:22.408) and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri (1:22.437).

“It's a massive advantage because Max is like ‘if I win this year, it’s great. If I don't, I go home, we have a winter break and come out next year and fight for a world championship’. He’s very relaxed. The thing about Max is he’s just there to go racing. He loves the competition, loves winning, there's no pressure on his shoulders,” 2009 world champion Jenson Button told HT from Abu Dhabi.

“Whereas the other two, a lot of pressure. It's the first time they've had an opportunity to fight for a world championship.