IT'S THE OLD ONE TWO THREE

Title contenders lined up at the front for their showdown at the Yas Marina circuit as Verstappen vows to go "all-out" for crucial win

- DANIEL MOXON

MAX VERSTAPPEN must delve into his sizeable bag of tricks if he is to avoid missing out on more Formula One glory today.

The Dutchman starts on pole but knows that winning the race alone will not be enough.

Because Lando Norris starts next to him on the front row and the Brit cannot end the day on the podium if Verstappen is to have any chance of winning five titles in a row.

So although Verstappen is used to speeding off into the distance when starting on pole, a different tactic may be called for this time.

Might he try to replicate Lewis Hamilton's innovative but ultimately failed tactic of backing up his rival into the pack, as the racer tried in 2016 with his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg? Naturally, four-time champion Verstappen was giving nothing away in terms of his playbook. But Mercedes' George Russell predicts some shenanigans and said: "I don't expect Max to drive into the sunset." And the man himself declared he will leave everything on the table in his quest to join Michael Schumacher as the only drivers ever to be crowned champion in five successive seasons.

Verstappen admitted: "I'll go all-out. I have nothing to lose.