George Russell suggests Max Verstappen strategy plan for F1 title victory

George Russell believes Max Verstappen will intentionally back up the pack during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if he retains the lead at the start of the race.

The Dutchman starts from pole at the Yas Marina Circuit, ahead of F1 drivers' championship leader Lando Norris, with Oscar Piastri third.

However, Verstappen needs the Briton to finish lower than third — whilst taking victory — to clinch his fifth successive title, as 12 points separate them in the standings.

Therefore, Russell has pointed out the possibility that Verstappen deliberately backs the McLaren driver into the chasing pack, in an attempt to get cars between them à la Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg in the 2016 season finale.

"If we finish Lap 1 in the order we start the race, then definitely he's not just going to drive off into the distance and hand Lando an easy podium," the Mercedes driver, who starts fourth behind Piastri, told media, including RacingNews365.

"But everything can change after Lap 1. If Lando makes a good start and gets the lead, the championship is done and dusted. So we're not at the pace, but I'm confident there'll be opportunities [to capitalise on]."

Expanding on the last weapon Verstappen appears to have in his armoury, Russell explained that the four-time F1 drivers' champion need not drive like a "hooligan" or "dangerously" to illicit the result he desires.

"I think backing up the pack, on a street track as an example, is a very normal thing to do," the five-time grand prix winner said.

"Singapore, it's: you control the pace, and then you try and extend the gap around the pit stops.

"So you don't need to drive like a hooligan or dangerously to do that; you can just manage by three or four tenths more, and that will condense the pack.

"At some tracks, you can easily drop half a second or a second at certain points without being dangerous, without causing risk to yourself. So yeah, you'd expect him [Verstappen] to be doing that."

The gamesmanship had already begun in qualifying, when Russell implored his team to send his W16 out behind Verstappen, as the Red Bull driver may wish to provide him a tow in his fight against the McLarens.

When asked about it after the grid-setting session, he replied: "Well, it was more of a hint to Red Bull on their pit wall to sort of consider it...

"Because obviously Max went early in Q3 run one, so he kind of was in a position to do that — and they obviously need somebody in the mix."