“Max drives better than all of us”, “Lewis has enough experience” … Drivers give their predictions in Abu Dhabi GP title race

Which of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) or Max Verstappen (Red Bull), tied on points for the top of the F1 World Championship standings ahead of the final round of the season on Sunday, will win the title? The rest of the grid has its opinion … or not:

The pro-Verstappen

Fernando Alonso (ESP / Alpine): “Both drive amazingly, don’t make mistakes and push the limits. Every race they are 1st and 2nd, because they are at another level (…) Mercedes has a little advantage lately, but Max drives better than the rest of us, so I would say Mercedes deserves the constructors ‘title because their car is superior and Max the drivers’ title because over the year he’s been a cut above everyone else.

Kimi Räikkönen (FIN / Alfa Romeo): “I don’t know if there is a good or a bad winner. It doesn’t matter to me but, if I had to choose, maybe it would be Red Bull for a change.”

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Aston Martin): “Michael (Schumacher) is my hero and I would rather Lewis didn’t win to keep his record. But he and Max both had a great season. If they have the chance to win the title in the last race. , is that they deserve it. I would be happy if Michael keeps the record but, even if Lewis wins another one, two or five titles, Michael will always be the greatest. For me, that does not change anything, and I m ‘Get along well with Lewis. So my guts say Max but, in my head, it’s: may the best win. “

The pro-Hamilton

Esteban Ocon (FRA / Alpine): “Lewis has enough experience and he’s a great champion, he knows what to do, but it’s not going to be fun. Until the end, Max is not going to let go. Both are not going to be fun. gonna give up. It’s gonna be a push to the limit. “

George Russell (GBR / Williams): “I would love to see Lewis win. Everything he’s accomplished, especially recently, is pretty exceptional. Starting off being still in the game when Red Bull had such a superior car at the start of the year. . But Max also did an amazing job and you can tell that they both deserve the title for different reasons. I just hope it is clean, fair and the best will win. “

The no-opinion

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / McLaren): “I stopped making predictions! At times, I thought it was for Max, others for Lewis. It’s hard to see clearly but it’s great for the sport.”

Nikita Mazepin (RUS / Haas): “If you look at the experience Lewis has the advantage and Mercedes did a fantastic job. But Max is the novelty. I appreciate them both, humanly and as athletes. Don’t ask me to choose.”

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / Ferrari): “When you see how close the championship is, that every race is a fight between the two title contenders, this is the perfect scenario for F1 and it’s exhilarating to watch, including for me. Unfortunately, it there’s a lot of social media polarization between the two sides so I’m not going to comment. They have had an amazing season, driven at an incredible level. I just hope they know how to stay clean and that they will deliver a great spectacle for the image of F1. “


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