Major McLaren-Max Verstappen difference emerges ahead of title showdown

Max Verstappen heads into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with a potential joker in his sleeve over his McLaren title rivals.

Verstappen starts on pole ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the Dutchman knowing he must finish on the podium to have any chance of winning the title and hope that leader Norris does not. 

A podium of any kind will be enough for Norris to claim the crown, whilst Piastri's easiest route is to win and hope Norris finishes lower than sixth. 

But could there be a twist in the tale?

Throughout practice, tyre graining has been a surprise for teams caused by lower than expected grip levels and Yas Marina, and Sector 1 of the track being resurfaced from last year. 

Nonetheless, Pirelli is still indicating that a one-stop race is the fastest way to complete 58 laps starting on the mediums before running until Laps 20-26 for the hards, or alternatively, hards until Laps 39-45 before a final blast on the softs.

Two-stop strategies involve early stops starting on the mediums, before switching to the hards for the middle stint, before a final rodeo on the mediums or softs - and here is where Verstappen's joker comes in. 

The Red Bull driver has two brand-new sets of the medium tyres available for the grand prix, compared to both McLaren drivers, who have saved two sets of the hards. 

All three title contenders are likely to start on a new set of mediums, but Verstappen will then have in reserve another new set of the C4 rubber, which could benefit in the closing stages over McLaren's two C3 sets apiece.