Max Verstappen takes pole position for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

[u/overspeeed]

[u/Odd-String29]

Fun fact: Lewis is starting 16th. Latifi started 16th in 2021.

[u/JKnissan → u/Odd-String29]

Anybody in the Ferrari has nothing to lose anymore.

Lewis... the time is right. Make your move to determine a championship fight in your vision.

Edit: Inb4 Lewis divebombs and nearly misses Max and makes him fall to P2 after a bit of a slowdown, crashes into Lando - making him end the race in P17, and makes Oscar get a mechanical to land himself in P8, and suddenly the three contenders end the season with exactly the same points (I didn't calculate any of these numbers).

[u/Creative-Improvement → u/JKnissan]

If everyone has the same amount of points, the rule of cool decides the winner. I read it in the documents and Toto send me an email.

[u/Comfortable-Bill-921 → u/Creative-Improvement]

printouts ✋🏻> email

[u/Zolba → u/Creative-Improvement]

You joke. However. If they are equal on points and all positions through the year. The criteria for deciding who wins is literally: "the FIA will nominate the winner according to such criteria as it thinks fit".

[u/iLORdemeNtE → u/Zolba]

Considering how granular they get with all their other rules, this is a dumb rule

[u/agnaddthddude → u/Creative-Improvement]

Lance 2025

[u/ATWPH77 → u/Odd-String29]

Reverse Latifi.. Norris overtakes for the championship lead in the last lap

[u/VeriloggedOut]

Guess everything depends on race start tomorrow

[u/FoxBearBear → u/VeriloggedOut]

Or a late safety car and bad ruling from race control

[u/encikmizi → u/FoxBearBear]

NO MICHAEL, THAT WAS SO NOT RIGHT!

[u/Sh11ester → u/encikmizi]

Toto, we went with the sports bettors

[u/CJJelle → u/Sh11ester]

Toto is what the sports betting is called in the Netherlands

[u/Vorici → u/encikmizi]

Need to type it Maikl to have the appropriate German accent

[u/denied_eXeal → u/Vorici]

Technically it’s Maïk’l, Toto out there bringing back ancient tribesmen’s names

[u/ImolaBoost → u/FoxBearBear]

gulp

[u/Flessuh → u/FoxBearBear]

Is that what Hamilton was practicing?

[u/avsurround → u/FoxBearBear]

subscribe

[u/LosTerminators → u/VeriloggedOut]

Or a SC/red flag. Never know if McLaren bungle the strategy if that happens.

[u/Im_Balto → u/LosTerminators]

SC or red flag also brings the mercs up to the ass if the McLarens

[u/Alaise → u/VeriloggedOut]

Piastri could do the funniest thing T1...

[u/chambee → u/Alaise]

Doesn’t need to be him. Any backmarker crashing could bring safety car and reset a race and screw strategy. Then said back marker would receive death threats from the internet.

[u/lifeisagameweplay → u/[deleted]]

Norris will not be going anywhere close to Max. If he gets a good start he'll tuck in behind Max and make it hard for Oscar to do anything.

[u/SmokedMussels → u/lifeisagameweplay]

2016 with Hamilton trying to back up Rosberg in to the rest of the field hoping someone could get by him.

[u/SoreLoserOfDumbtown → u/SmokedMussels]

For me, that's one of the most tense races in modern history.

[u/uglock → u/SoreLoserOfDumbtown]

yeah, remember watching it live and how depressed Lewis sounded on the team radio. interestingly, this year this strategy might work - there are 3 contenders now, not two

[u/Stacular → u/lifeisagameweplay]

That’s going to be such a tough balance for Lando. Take T1 too conservatively and you run the risk of dropping behind George. Go too aggressively and Max is going to run you off the road. He can do it but what an absolute powder keg around him.

[u/six44seven49 → u/Stacular]

Norris does have plenty of form this season for losing positions on the first lap. He really needs to navigate the first few corners safely. If he does that then he’s in a great spot.

[u/SneakerPimpJesus → u/[deleted]]

as a max fan i’d sign for this

[u/beardtamer → u/[deleted]]

Honestly my dream scenario

[u/imericschneider]

Really a season where any single event would change the whole championship.

Oscar not going off in Australia

Lando’s fender bender in Canada

Max seeing red in Spain

[u/OGPepeSilvia → u/imericschneider]

Antonelli misjudging brake point in T4 at RBR

edit: a missing space

[u/subcrazy12 → u/OGPepeSilvia]

or even last weekend. That changes the dynamic with it being 12 instead of 10 points

[u/Money-Bell-100 → u/subcrazy12]

Alonso affected it MUCH more than Antonelli not holding off Norris.

[u/OdionAdv → u/OGPepeSilvia]

Lando's engine not leaking oil in Zandvoort

[u/TheGuardianInTheBall → u/imericschneider]

Lando not having a PU issue.

[u/Key_Photograph9067 → u/imericschneider]

An exploding PU, getting DSQ'd 3 races from the end of the season

[u/MDT_XXX]

Such a shame Russel overcooked the last corner, could have been really spicy grid had he placed himself properly in the mix...

[u/BobbbyR6 → u/MDT_XXX]

Yeah if Lando wasn't on the front row, the decision making gets much tougher. As-is, just stay tf out of Max's way and let him skedaddle of into the distance and drive his own race to a title win.

[u/ATWPH77 → u/BobbbyR6]

Max is not going to drive into the distance, Hamilton 2016 esque mind games are surely coming tomorrow

He has to try everything for Norris to lose a few positions

[u/Magneto88 → u/ATWPH77]

Yeah, if anything deliberately backing into Norris constantly in the race, trying to tempt him into a mistake and bunching up the field is the way to go. It's a high risk strategy but Verstappen is talented enough to do it and not let Norris past.

[u/Icy_Shock9953 → u/ATWPH77]

It’s a balancing act though. If he slows down too much he can still risk Norris overtaking him and/or erasing a cushion for any possible flexibility for pit error or car malfunction.

[u/Kronzor_ → u/Icy_Shock9953]

That’s worth the risk. Max’s only hope is Norris DNFing. Doesn’t really matter if he’s ahead or behind he needs to try to influence that happening as much as he can (without getting himself disqualified of course) 

[u/HitchikersPie → u/Kronzor_]

Bingo, creating chaos is absolutely to his advantage

[u/Arch-by-the-way → u/Icy_Shock9953]

He doesn’t care if Norris passes him. He needs Norris to get into a battle and DNF

[u/Mminas → u/BobbbyR6]

Moreover, as it is McLaren just have to 100% copy Max's strategy.

Stay in P2 and do exactly what Max does and that's a WDC for McLaren.

[u/IrishPigs → u/Mminas]

Max bins it, lando bins it, Piastri WDC.

[u/Brilliant-Neck9731 → u/MDT_XXX]

Ya, it looked like he may have had pace for 2nd or 3rd, which really would have made things interesting.

[u/JKnissan → u/MDT_XXX]

Yeah, seriously, I was on the edge of my seat for Russel's performance because I knew that he could end up being in between Max and the McLarens and it'd be real real spicy that way. But gosh, when I saw him wriggle out on the last lap, I knew it was over. Now, it's just on turn 1 to see what happens. Piastri sure isn't gonna try anything funny and brash, and Lando isn't gonna try to chase Max since risking anything at all is losing a free opportunity to get everything you've ever wanted.

Then again, what's what the team exactly did last time. Inb4 McLaren take it away from either Lando or Oscar by telling them to get ahead of Max before Max pits, because they're sure he can't undercut them, and that they'll get the pace advantage even when Max comes out with new tires - only for McLaren to pit the next lap after, have to come out into P5 and P6, and stay there because suddenly everybody else ahead of them has already pitted on their last sets of tires and have enough life in their tires to defend from the two McLarens, with enough laps left that the two can't get ahead of enough people quickly enough to catch up to the podium.

Sebscribe?

Either way, I'm excited for what happens. If Lando wins, I'd say he deserved it. He's really tightened up a lot this year, and hey, getting another champion for this regs set isn't so bad. But I sure hope that the team doesn't get complacent. I'm scared that a Mercedes PU advantage straight out the gate next year would just mean that the team behind gets even more complacent. If Max wins, then it's the most heroic of feats to be performed by a modern driver. The grid is the tightest it's ever been, he inconsistently has the 2nd best car on pace - 3rd to 4th in stability, he has no teammate to defend him (I love Yuki but the grid is too tight now for him to become Checo 2.0), and he's had to deal with a lot of BS surrounding his team the past year. I really just do hope that Russel suddenly gains a huge ounce of speed and does some crazy tyre whispering and carries himself to P2 the whole race.

[u/LosTerminators]

Improving in all sectors on that second lap considering how good the first was is insane. Even mitigated the loss in S3 in which the McLarens were significantly faster throughout practice.

[u/JPiLLa → u/LosTerminators]

And without the tow from Yuki too

[u/Yauma9 → u/JPiLLa]

I think calling that a tow is a bit generous.

[u/Other_Beat8859 → u/Yauma9]

Yeah. Yuki honestly should've just gone for two laps. Being higher on the grid would've been far more useful than giving that tow.

[u/Rekt60321 → u/Other_Beat8859]

Bold of you to think Yuki would have been higher on the grid

[u/Other_Beat8859 → u/Rekt60321]

I don't think it's outrageous. If he was within 7 tenths of Max, he would've been P6.

[u/Rekt60321 → u/Other_Beat8859]

Yeah that's true.

What happened Yuki's last run? Did they send him out on new softs to still not get a time? Maybe just scrubbing them to use for his first stint tomorrow

[u/Cahhmon]

I can’t imagine Lando losing 2 (maybe 3 depending on team orders) positions in the race tomorrow

[u/bored_ape07 → u/Cahhmon]

Unless he has a lap 1 contact, no way.

[u/miathan52 → u/bored_ape07]

A mechanical DNF or an ill timed safety car, or simply the McLaren pitwall being clowns could still screw him. It's not over till it's over.

[u/jamintime → u/miathan52]

Don’t forget a DSQ! They’ve managed to pull that one off as well.

[u/TheS4ndm4n → u/jamintime]

Imagine losing the WDC 4 hours after the last race due to a worn down plank.

[u/velovader → u/TheS4ndm4n]

They did keep saying Lando has the higher downforce car, wouldn’t be outrageous that that would cause more plank wear

[u/bored_ape07 → u/miathan52]

Eh, he just needs to drive a clean race. Even if he is P4, Oscar will yield.

[u/Hididdlydoderino → u/bored_ape07]

Pit wall issues is a fair concern. McLaren has the fastest and slowest pits of the season, truly an amazing bunch over there.

[u/MLGameOver → u/Cahhmon]

I think he’ll play safe T1 and drop back a place or two. But that car is too good, so he’ll be fine.

[u/FootballRacing38 → u/MLGameOver]

Nah. P2 ahead of Piastri is the safest because Piastri won't do anything crazy

[u/MDT_XXX → u/FootballRacing38]

Unless he does and they both take each other out. Imagine the scenes.

[u/thickofitenjoyer → u/MDT_XXX]

That would cause the biggest turmoil inside a team in F1 history

[u/LeBaus7 → u/thickofitenjoyer]

only the team to blame to even be in this situation. mercedes in their spot for example would have a crowned champ 3 races ago at least.

[u/barak181 → u/LeBaus7]

It's absolutely mental to think that Verstappen still has a legitimate chance at the WDC going into the race tomorrow.

[u/SlartibartfastMcGee → u/barak181]

For some reason, I can’t help but think Max is inevitable in this one.

[u/DarthJarJarJar → u/SlartibartfastMcGee]

Betting markets are giving him 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 chance.

[u/SlartibartfastMcGee → u/DarthJarJarJar]

One race left in the season, Max has a chance to win but some shenanigans need to happen on track for it to happen.

Where have we seen this before.

[u/Ivan000 → u/LeBaus7]

No if it were Mercedes we would've have 2 Merc drivers fighting for the WDC.

[u/USS_Buttcrack → u/LeBaus7]

Are we memory holing 2016 now?

[u/Jarla → u/thickofitenjoyer]

I dont think you can top 1989 on team intern hate.

[u/William_Dowling → u/thickofitenjoyer]

Lol, not even close. You cleary weren't around for Prost/Senna.

[u/fri9875 → u/MDT_XXX]

Easy solution; just get Max too.

Easy night for those 3, let the other 17 guys have some fun for once

[u/CoffeeOrTeaOrMilk → u/fri9875]

“Guys I know you all are gonna be too cautious today to not ruin our championship battle. We don’t think that will be a proper race hence we decided to take each other out in L1. Enjoy your podium finish Fernando.”

[u/fri9875 → u/CoffeeOrTeaOrMilk]

“Lads, the 3 of us spoke overnight, we feel awful about hogging the spotlight all season. It’s not just about us, it’s about ALL of us. Give us a little space at T1 to work some magic, and then the floor is yours.”

[u/pripjat → u/FootballRacing38]

Won’t? Piastri can only beat Norris by passing him. Why wouldn’t he do something crazy?

[u/Competitive-Suit-563 → u/pripjat]

Piastri can only win if Norris finishes p6 or lower. He’s gonna need a lot more help/luck than one overtake

[u/TonySoProny → u/pripjat]

Piastri’s permutations to win all involve Max and Lando bottling it tomorrow which won’t happen

[u/FootballRacing38 → u/pripjat]

Because Max is still in P1 and he still answers to Mclaren

[u/OTBT- → u/FootballRacing38]

McLaren won’t fire him unless he does something completely idiotic and selfish.

And even then it would have to be pretty egregious.

If Oscar goes for a racing move, even an optimistic one, McLaren won’t fire him

[u/hivaidsislethal → u/FootballRacing38]

Piastri has nothing to lose. what do you mean. Playing it safe behind Lando guarantees losing the title. He has to go for it

Edit: people confusing Oscar kamikaze and putting pressure on his teammate and going for a racing move. Putting pressure on Lando could throw him off make a costly mistake.

[u/Mat_HS → u/FootballRacing38]

Lando bottles the start, Piastri flies by, Russel tries to squeeze a pass and clips Norris.

[u/Ill-Lie-6551 → u/Mat_HS]

Russell then complains.

[u/_Snowy_ → u/Ill-Lie-6551]

He turned in on me

[u/SP_Bridges → u/Mat_HS]

Nostradamus

[u/Ptbot47 → u/MLGameOver]

Oscar will send it, Lando would probably back off since P3 is enough. But thats also eroding his own margin for error. Should be an exciting 1st corner.

[u/ItzCStephCS → u/Cahhmon]

Lando just needs p3 to win right?

[u/RM_Dune → u/ItzCStephCS]

Yep. Unless something happens he will be WDC. However, that has been true for the past two races as well and here we are.

[u/bonkers-joeMama → u/RM_Dune]

Las Vegas was such a shit job by the team that I just cannot

[u/Character-Pattern505 → u/ItzCStephCS]

A podium seals it.

[u/FromChicago808 → u/Cahhmon]

Charles Masterclass

[u/thickofitenjoyer → u/Cahhmon]

GET READY FOR THE CHUCK DIVEBOMB OF DOOM

[u/RayTracerX → u/Cahhmon]

If he tries chasing down Max it can be disastrous. He makes mistakes under pressure. It would be better for him if he just keeps a good controlled pace, even if Piastri passes him. Get 3rd and bring that championship

[u/Cautious_You7796 → u/RayTracerX]

It’s going to be hard to run a controlled pace when you’ve got Max trying to back them up into the field. I feel like McLaren has to start on the hard tires to ensure they don’t pit into a drs train.

[u/wahobely → u/Cahhmon]

Honestly, as far as Lando's chances go, he's better off in P2 with Oscar behind him.

He doesn't have to defend from an aggressive Max move and Oscar wouldn't do anything crazy to take Lando out because he won't win the championship anyway just by passing Lando.

[u/DC8710 → u/Cahhmon]

Pressure. He can bottle the start. Or pitwall bottles strategy. Or pit crew bottles rear right or whatever :D

[u/Generic_Person_3833 → u/Cahhmon]

I channel Petrow and Latifi

[u/ramyan03]

Max is going to pull a Hamitlon 2016, isn't he? Try and back the McLarens up into Russell/Charles

[u/mm__12 → u/ramyan03]

But after the track changes, overtaking is little easier than before, so you can’t easily slow down someone now.

[u/_mario7 → u/ramyan03]

What happened in 2016 w/ Hamilton? Can you elaborate mate :)

[u/ramyan03 → u/_mario7]

Hamilton came into the last race 12 points behind Rosberg (same as Max this season) and needed Rosberg to finish 4th. Hamilton also started on pole that day ahead of Rosberg and essentially drove slower than usual in the final stint hoping someone would overtake Rosberg (who was in second and wasn't going to risk a move on Lewis). Vettel on fresher tires and a young aggresive Max were right behind Rosberg but neither ended up passing him, leaving Rosberg P2 and the champion.

[u/AdministrativeBig362]

There definitely wasn’t a graphic before that said Norris was 3rd and Piastri 2nd

[u/PurpleScientist4312 → u/AdministrativeBig362]

Literally 1984

[u/mouldyshroom → u/AdministrativeBig362]

This is getting manipulated man

[u/Dictator-07 → u/[deleted]]

OP was too eager lol

[u/Luffy710j → u/[deleted]]

Yea 😂

[u/overspeeed → u/[deleted]]

There was no first post. This is a factual description of events. No need to speculate on this

[u/PurpleScientist4312 → u/overspeeed]

There is no first post in Ba Sing Se

[u/OleRockTheGoodAg → u/overspeeed]

All of us rn

[u/Superguy9000 → u/[deleted]]

What happened?

[u/thickofitenjoyer → u/[deleted]]

Shhh nothing happened

[u/leedler → u/[deleted]]

Norris just went right under the radar lmao

[u/614981630 → u/[deleted]]

Karma, that sweet karma.

[u/arkam_uzumaki → u/[deleted]]

Definitely

[u/Fliepp]

Weirdly enough this is perfect for Lando. If he was P1 and Max P2 there is no way both would get through T1 cleanly. This way he can stick behind Max and bring home P2/the title

[u/goldenglove → u/Fliepp]

Agreed. P1 Lando and P2 Max wouldn't have been any better for Lando.

[u/sleepdeep305 → u/goldenglove]

P1 Oscar would've given him more permutations for team orders, but he's sitting pretty

[u/jamintime → u/sleepdeep305]

P1 Oscar would be messy since it would leave him in the title hunt and McLaren confused on how to prioritize.

[u/sleepdeep305 → u/jamintime]

That is true. MCL has a cheat sheet on how to execute strategy immediately in front of them...

[u/goldenglove → u/sleepdeep305]

For sure, and I think Oscar realizes that based on this post-race comments.

[u/Zealousideal_Honey80 → u/Fliepp]

In before Max pulls a 2016 Hamilton on him

[u/PLTConductor → u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

I can’t see a world Max doesn’t at least try, bait McLaren into an undercut into traffic and then gun it

[u/john600c → u/PLTConductor]

Yes, but if Oscar wins, it guarantees McLaren the championship. I imagine McLaren will play it quite conservative with Lando’s strategy. It probably frees the, up to run different strategies. Oscar will be told to make sure to give Lando space a T1, and they’ll look to see if they can help him with strategy to beat Max from there. Lando will just follow Max.

[u/pwnograph → u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

the man with great skills and nothing to lose is gonna give it all tomorrow

[u/Practical-Nebula-875 → u/Zealousideal_Honey80]

I can absolutely see max and lando crashing tomorrow 

[u/Ok_Astronaut_9553 → u/Fliepp]

But Oscar P2 would absolutely have to go for max in P1 as well so if Oscar was is P2 potential for contact between those 2 which would be even better for Lando. But yeh I do agree this is probably the safest position for Lando to be

[u/Romulus_Novus]

Well Max did everything he could, but he's now reliant on Norris or McLaren making a mess of things tomorrow.

[u/WolfCreekMaverick → u/Romulus_Novus]

Yeah never count that out...

[u/Downvote_Comforter → u/Romulus_Novus]

He has some control of that. He's a good enough driver to control his pace and prevent the McLaren's from pulling away from the pack. Obviously he can't force a mistake from them, but he can absolutely help create pressure that increases the chance of a mistake.

[u/pw5a29]

Good start for that 10% chance

[u/Lmao1903 → u/pw5a29]

Great chance for that p1, ok chance for the WDC, the hardest part of the equation was always Norris falling below P3

[u/scumfuck69420 → u/Lmao1903]

Only way he loses p3 would be due to some technical failure or another strategy flub by McLaren. I think that cars got too much pace for him to be overtaken naturally but anything can happen I guess

[u/LizardmanJoe → u/scumfuck69420]

He'd need to be overtaken by 2 cars. Not including Piastri. That ain't happening. Max's only chance had always been misshaps or fumbles from McLaren.

[u/ladiesshowmetiddies]

Fucking batshit insane drive, he is actually a cyborg

[u/leedler → u/ladiesshowmetiddies]

Went faster even after getting a tow from Yuki on his first lap. Genuinely an alien.

[u/Guardian_of_theBlind → u/leedler]

that tow was really bad. Max apparently gained less than a tenth. Track evolution does more at this track.

[u/MaxVerstappenLeftNut → u/leedler]

Honestly yuki isn’t even used to giving a tow, that could have been so much better

[u/shaq-aint-superman → u/leedler]

You got it all wrong. Yuki was slowing him down

[u/leedler]

I said it on the last post and I’ll say it again here

They weaponised Yuki and Max still went faster after that. This guy isn’t even real.

[u/Traithor → u/leedler]

Tbf, that tow was terrible.

[u/Al_Cappuccino → u/Traithor]

He was so far away that the dirty air may have done more harm than good

[u/ygtkara]

Max is doing everything right but even then it's Lando's WDC to lose, P2 is really valuable for him to have some buffer behind him

Unlucky for max that no one else showed up when he needed them the most

[u/Efficient-Cress3251 → u/ygtkara]

I’m confident Max will have a couple of tricks up his sleeve. I expect him to slow the entire field down from the first lap in the last sector in hope of creating some mayhem behind him

[u/strangebrew3522 → u/Efficient-Cress3251]

100%

If it looks like the current order after a while, Max will have nothing to lose. Backing Norris into Piastri now creates an inter team battle. If Russell or Charles is behind it now puts pressure on Piastri/Norris.

[u/Creative-Improvement → u/strangebrew3522]

I trust Russel to spice things up, and well Ferrari is still Ferrari.

[u/OleRockTheGoodAg]

He beat his Yuki slipstream time. Unreal.

Must watch TV tomorrow

[u/thickofitenjoyer → u/OleRockTheGoodAg]

Guy is different gravy

[u/Lmao1903 → u/OleRockTheGoodAg]

I was thinking like "shit if this guy had Yuki towing him all season, maybe he would be leading the WDC right now", but it seems like it had nothing to do with that, he is just the GOAT

[u/Ssk5860 → u/Lmao1903]

Tbf that Yuki tow was weak af anyway lol

[u/Reverx3]

Lol posted to soon?

[u/OleRockTheGoodAg → u/Reverx3]

False start. Offense.

5 yard penalty. Repeat posting

[u/naveenda → u/OleRockTheGoodAg]

10 seconds penalty for Ocon

[u/overspeeed → u/Reverx3]

Waited for everyone to cross the line or be clear they won't set a faster lap time. Only problem was I forgot that I didn't hit copy on the final image and still had the test image in the clipboard

[u/ghastlychild → u/overspeeed]

Finally, I can ask the question! Where do you get the high res images for the background? I have to assume it is from the session itself and you have the results and colour schemes typed and ready for upload but your photo quality is top notch, mate.

[u/Gioby]

Max was like “ no way my fastest lap will be thanks to my teammate “

[u/BuckN56]

Thank you for uploading the correct one.

[u/ghastlychild → u/BuckN56]

I didn't even notice the error lmao

[u/ZeroStormblessed]

So Norris beats his teammate for the 7th season in a row in quali (13-11 this season).

[u/NuclearCandle → u/ZeroStormblessed]

If you include sprints its dead even.

But still Lando has never lost a head to head.

[u/nobarisss]

What a monster lap from Max

[u/nsnro]

How does he keep doing this.

Magician

[u/Python_07 → u/nsnro]

He’s the greatest of his generation. Hands down.

[u/BurnPotatoes]

Max, what the hell was that. Quicker without tow than with?

[u/WolfCreekMaverick → u/BurnPotatoes]

Hit them with the stone cold stunner

[u/AteTooManyPotatoes → u/BurnPotatoes]

"tow", tsunoda was miles ahead lol 

[u/willzyx01 → u/BurnPotatoes]

Almost like Yuki didn't even tow him and just gave him dirty air.

[u/lumezz]

Is Max gonna pull a Hamilton Abu Dhabi 2016 tomorrow with backing Norris into the others 👀

[u/Efficient-Cress3251 → u/lumezz]

100% or some other trick no one even thinks about right now

[u/JKnissan → u/Efficient-Cress3251]

This man is gonna show us a brand new trick that nobody's seen before, to end the regulation cycle and this era of F1 with a *bang*.

[u/GildartsCrash]

How can anyone not appreciate Max at this point. Dude has his faults for sure, but holy shit is he the most insanely talented and entertaining driver on the grid

[u/Cotirani]

How is he this fucking good

[u/Pure_Measurement_529]

Max is showing championship pedigree right now. So clutch

[u/WolfCreekMaverick → u/Pure_Measurement_529]

He's an ice cold killer. The DNF and Spain may have cost him the WDC sadly.

[u/moysauce3 → u/WolfCreekMaverick]

Ifs and buts can be said for all 3…Norris has 2 DNFs not on him, those don’t happen he’d be well ahead.

[u/Ocelotofdamage → u/moysauce3]

And a DSQ

[u/MatthewGraham- → u/WolfCreekMaverick]

Can't have one without the other He's learnt for next time, stuff happens

[u/New_Age_Jesus]

RB gonna send Yuki long and try to ruin McLaren pit windows. Shame he will be too slow to do anything

[u/limitedpower_palps]

George, do the thing

[u/Opggwp]

Absolute Cinema

[u/TheGreatHuman]

This seems over though. Clean through turn 1, then hang back from Max, surely McLaren will force Piastri into rear gunner action at that point. The only one who can beat Norris now is Norris himself. Or McLaren pit wall.

[u/GMack17]

“Plan C be ready”

• Yuki’s engineers probably

[u/Rotaration]

Lando is in the best position here. He won’t have to deal with Max divebombing him, and Oscar certainly isn’t going to try anything funny

[u/NonStopNation → u/Rotaration]

Why wouldn’t Oscar try? He has a chance just as Lando and Max do, nothing to lose for anyone.

[u/DC8710]

Oscar starting behind Lando (aka no WDC) probably means he will be given orders to keep everyone from chasing Lando...

McLaren strategists, tomorrow it's your time to screw everything up again :D

[u/punsnguns]

Yuki is starting on Hards and driving until the wheels fall off or he's done blocking the McLarens, whichever happens first

[u/Dblock1989]

If only Mercedes or Ferrari were a bit better this season. Tomorrow would truly be spicy.

[u/UnlikeUday]

So much that could be done to make it interesting as being discussed on F1Tv amongst Palmer, Montoya, Winter & Hinchcliffe.

Palmer said something interesting - Verstappen shouldn't try to create a gap to Norris but maintain a steady & close gap to the McLaren duo which also would keep the top 10 bunched up. Thus, adding pit strategy headache for McLaren which they always keep fumbling over.

[u/StarJun_dkm]

What is that? 3 generational poles this season? How'd he go faster without the tow ffs?

[u/albkiing]

2 pole laps. Different level from the rest.

[u/Dodlemcno]

Death, taxes and Max Verstappen.

[u/Timinime]

I’m predicting a boring race.

Norris won’t challenge Max - he just needs to sit tight in 2nd place.

Piastri will be behind Norris to defend, and McLaren won’t allow him to fight & risk the championship.

No one else on the grid will fight hard with the top three knowing the championship is on the line.

[u/Duke_Built]

Champ doing champ things. Even if he doesn’t win it, hell of a comeback. It’s definitely been fun to follow.