Max Verstappen reflects on win in F1 Abu Dhabi GP, as he and Laurent Mekies notes of strategy plus not thinking that Barcelona made the difference.
It started off decently for Red Bull’s Verstappen in F1 Abu Dhabi GP at Yas Marina circuit to maintain the lead, while his title rivals fought among themselves after Oscar Piastri got the better of teammate Lando Norris. But that was the only major thing that happened in the race eventually.
There was a scare for Norris against Yuki Tsunoda, but it went in favour of the Brit. Verstappen had little chance to topple both the McLaren cars, especially after Piastri started on the hard compound which upset the rhythm. They were left covering for both the cars which limited the strategy.
Mekies was surprised by McLaren’s call, but praised them for the clever choice. They could have backed up but went against it. Verstappen felt he didn’t have much choice given the strategy of others around. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc could have spoilt Norris’ party, but he couldn’t sustain it in the end.
Verstappen didn’t wish to blame Barcelona miss for the title loss. In fact, he counter-questioned to highlight the positives he had in the second half. His race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase was spotted crying on the pitwall after the race. He didn’t speak much on the radio either.
After a short message, Lambiase was quiet for most part of the in-lap to parc ferme. Verstappen had to ask twice if he had to go to the grid or dive in the pitlane. He got an initial response from someone else, after which Lambiase affirmed the same. The Dutchman highlighted Lambiase’s emotions.
He said he will have a chat with him after the media session. For Mekies, when asked about Red Bull’s less aggressive strategy, the Frenchman highlighted competition fairness aspect. He also credited the turnaround to how they have been all-through the second half, picking up as the weekend progresses.
Race –
Verstappen: “Well, honestly, we maximised everything that we could. We put it on pole, and we won the race. And I think also in the race, we had very strong pace. So, there’s really not much that I could have done different. I think what complicated it a bit was that Oscar was on a different strategy. So, you never know, of course, when he then pits, how much pace he has in hand to catch up again. That also complicates a bit trying to keep the pack together or whatever. But, yeah, overall, just very proud again of the weekend that we had. We put it all out there, and, yeah, the car was actually enjoyable to drive.”
Mekies: “I guess the first thing we look at is a race win. A win is a win. It’s difficult enough. So, a race win, a dominant pole yesterday. Fundamentally, a dominant race pace today on a difficult track. I think for everyone that has worked hard on this car, it’s very telling. We were not dominating last week in Qatar and to finish on a note like that on a clean race for us is a dominating factor.”
Strategy –
Verstappen: “I had a lot of scenarios in my head, but then, of course, I knew once the tyres Oscar had on the car, that would be quite difficult. I think we were probably a bit too quick up front. The others couldn’t really follow that well. I think Charles drove his heart out today to try and get onto that podium, so that was also impressive to see. But, of course, they went for a two-stop. I think even that made it more complicated because if you stay on a one-stop, backing the whole thing up is tough. And I think this new layout around here makes it even harder to do that compared to 2016 or whatever.”
Mekies: “It was possible to do it [backing up the field]. We didn’t feel it was the right option for us. I mean, we would have given up quite a large advantage by doing so. And we didn’t think that playing tactics would give us an edge today for the situations we were in. So, we chose to stay out to maximise the advantage we had and to concentrate on winning the race. And as we said, we can’t control what’s behind us. So, yeah, we did discuss the options, but we stick to our plan. We were indeed [surprised with McLaren’s strategy], yes, we were. I think it was quite clever from their side. It gave them a lot of options and ultimately gave us two scenarios to battle for the win. So, yeah, we were not expecting it.”
When thought it is gone in race and season –
Verstappen: “I just kept looking on the screen to see if something would pop up. Yeah, I mean, the race itself went really well, and I was just enjoying sitting in the car and driving it. And every straight you keep looking if something happens, but at the same time, that’s part of racing. So I was not really too fussed about it. You forget all the other stuff that happened in my season. The only thing you mention is Barcelona. I knew that would come. You’re giving me a stupid grin now. I don’t know. Yeah, it’s part of racing at the end. You live and learn. The championship is one of 24 rounds. I’ve also had a lot of early Christmas presents given to me in the second half, so you can also question that.”
Radio call –
Verstappen: “It’s been an emotional year. Forget about the results this year. I also don’t want to go too much into detail, but it’s been tough. But I’m very happy to be able to work with someone that passionate. Of course, he is my race engineer, but I see him as my friend. We have lived through so many emotional things together and fantastic achievements. I’m sure he was a bit emotional after the flag. So, I’m really looking forward to leaving here and catching up with him because it’s not been easy at times for him. I’m just very proud to be able to work with someone that good. A proper example of someone that never gave up this season, even through the difficult times.”
Turnaround in the weekend –
Mekies: “I think it’s what has become a little bit of the usual story for us in the second part of the year. We did eventually find a sweet spot for this car. It has proven incredibly difficult to find it for every track, every tyre compound, every atmospheric conditions. And I think the guys found it in a very spectacular way here in the work from Friday to Saturday, from FP3 to quali, despite the difficulty to use FP3, given the hot track. And I think they nailed it. And we have seen quite a few times now that when we nail it, we are in a position to fight for the win. It was even a bit better today.”
Clean fight, no malice –
Mekies: “I don’t know if you want to call it the edge or not. I think we had a very strong fight, but we had a fair and clean fight. It’s the way we go racing. We push everything to the limit, but we certainly respect the competitions. But make no mistake, everything is pushed to the limit and sometimes beyond. But when it comes to sporting fairness and respecting the competitions, we think we can do both, being at the very limit and being respectful for the competitions. Sport is a battle between giants and we feel very strongly in that fight and we respect our competitors.”
Here’s race start: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-polesitter-verstappen-leads-away-from-norris-on-the-race-start.1850855393780646885
Here’s post-win for Max Verstappen: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2025-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-verstappen-takes-the-victory-but-misses-out-on-the-title.1850862425091852113
Here’s how F1 Abu Dhabi GP panned out
