Verstappen vows 'all out' approach for Abu Dhabi title decider

Max Verstappen will adopt an aggressive 'nothing to lose' mentality for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the final race that will decide the 2025 Formula 1 World Champion. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman trails championship leader Lando Norris by 12 points, with Oscar Piastri a further four points back in third, setting the stage for a dramatic three-way showdown.

Why it matters:

The championship battle has boiled down to a single, high-stakes race where the starting grid perfectly reflects the title fight. Verstappen's only path to the title is victory, forcing an all-or-nothing approach, while Norris and Piastri must balance aggression with points management. This dynamic promises a strategic and potentially explosive finale.

The details:

• Verstappen qualified on pole but faces both his title rivals directly behind him, with Norris second and Piastri third.
• The Red Bull driver stated his approach clearly: "All out. I have nothing to lose. So for me, of course, I’m going to try to win the race. I’m going to defend. If I need to attack, I’ll attack."
• Norris acknowledged the race-deciding moments will be reactive, saying decisions will be made "five metres before you brake into Turn 1."
• Piastri, needing the most favorable outcome, adopted a wait-and-see stance, conceding he "need[s] things to happen in the race to win the championship."

What's next:

The stage is set for a tense and tactical Grand Prix. Verstappen must win and hope his rivals finish sufficiently far behind, putting immense pressure on the opening lap and strategic calls throughout the race. All eyes will be on the run to Turn 1 and the subsequent pit wall decisions that will crown the 2025 champion.