Wolff confident Abu Dhabi title fight will be 'hard but clean'

Toto Wolff isn't expecting Lewis Hamilton to receive any free passes from Red Bull and Max Verstappen in Sunday's title decider in Abu Dhabi, but the Mercedes boss is confident that the fight between F1's contenders will be "very clean".

After 21 races marked by their thrilling on-track rivalry, Hamilton and Verstappen head into this evening's historic event tied on points, and with tensions running high.

The two drivers have suffered several flash points during their campaign, with the intensity of their tug-of-war reaching a peak last weekend in Saudi Arabia, where their fierce tussle warranted multiple interventions from the stewards following a series of illicit moves by Verstappen.

Asked whether last weekend's controversial matchup would extend into this evening's gripping finale, and whether he had given Hamilton any specific advice, Wolff said: "I haven't spoken with Lewis about that, because I think the race director sensitized the drivers about the possible consequences.

"I have no doubt that that the drivers will race hard because this is about the F1 world championship.

"But I have confidence that it will be very clean: hard but very clean. [So] not pushing anybody off, or hitting anybody. This is what this epic championships deserves as a final."

This evening's showdown will mark the first time since 2016 and Hamilton's battle royal with teammate Nico Rosberg that Mercedes will be managing a title decider.

In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton said that he felt much better today than he did five years ago when he was in the same spot. And Wolff noted the very different circumstances surrounding this year's final round.

• Read also - Wolff: Hamilton 'angry and motivated' to hunt Verstappen down

"The internal fight was very difficult to manage for us and for me to be neutral and balanced," the Austrian commented. "

"He's [Hamilton] in a totally different spot in his life. His mindset is great. He's in a good space, together as a team, and we are as tight as you can be and as close as you can be.

"We are fighters. We fight and we never give up and, if you lose, you can say that you've given it all you had. Then, you can reach out behind and congratulate the other group if you want.

"But there's (time) between now and then, and until then I can tell you: we will be fighting."

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