Verstappen: Let McLaren play games – 'all that matters is the trophy'

In a title showdown charged with tension, numbers, and a hint of intra-team intrigue, Max Verstappen insists none of it will shake him from his singular focus in Abu Dhabi.

The Red Bull driver enters this weekend’s grand finale at Yas Marina facing a 12-point deficit to championship leader Lando Norris, with Oscar Piastri lurking just four points behind the Dutchman.

With such a tight spread, even a Verstappen victory on Sunday wouldn’t guarantee him a fifth straight world crown – Norris would only need a podium to seal his first. And with McLaren expected to be strong here, talk has inevitably turned to whether the papaya squad might deploy some strategic choreography between its two drivers in the race.

If they do, Verstappen says he’ll just take it in stride

“I mean, it's always better than not winning at all,” he told reporters in Abu Dhabi. “When you're sitting at home 20 years from now, you'll still have that trophy on the cupboard. That's all that matters.”

For a driver who’s spent much of the season in a lone duel against the orange duo – particularly with Yuki Tsunoda unable to consistently join the fight – the possibility of McLaren playing the team game feels almost expected.

But Verstappen isn’t ready to speculate on whether Piastri will sacrifice his own race should the title fight demand it.

“We'll see! It's impossible to predict that in advance. I can't look inside [Oscar's] head after everything that happened this season, so I really don't know,” he said.

McLaren’s Dilemma

If both Norris and Piastri stay in mathematical contention deep into the race, McLaren may not need to intervene. But if the Australian slips out of the hunt, few in the paddock doubt he’d be asked to assist.

So far, Norris and Piastri claim the conversation hasn’t happened – though the grid suspects it’s only a matter of time.

What’s certain is that Verstappen isn’t banking on any favours.

Can Red Bull Strike Back?

Before any team tactics come into play, Verstappen still has to win the thing. And on that front, he’s characteristically candid about Red Bull’s prospects.

“I don't think I'm saying anything weird when I'm saying they have had the best car,” he said of McLaren. “And I think this will be a good circuit for them as well.

“We just have to try and get the maximum out of our car. That's the only thing we can do, and then we have to hope we're close enough.”

It’s the kind of title decider fans crave: three drivers, two teams, one trophy – and a defending champion refusing to overthink the politics swirling around him. In his words, his mission is beautifully simple.

All that matters, after all, is the trophy.

Read also:

Norris won’t ask Piastri for title help: ‘It’s not really up to me’

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