Max Verstappen backed to defeat 'weak-minded' McLaren duo in F1 title conclusion

Max Verstappen has been backed by Formula E and former Red Bull junior driver Dan Ticktum to secure the drivers' title, with him branding Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as "weak minded".

Verstappen enters the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale 12 points adrift of championship leader Lando Norris, a deficit he must overcome to equal Michael Schumacher's record of five consecutive drivers' titles. 

It is the Dutchman with the momentum having won the last two races in Las Vegas and Qatar, although McLaren is expected to have the strongest car at the Yas Marina Circuit. 

However, Ticktum, who was previously part of Red Bull's and Willams' junior programmes, believes the 28-year-old can defeat Norris to the title. 

It has become a fascinating battle both on-and-off the circuit in recent races between Verstappen and the McLaren duo, with him having claimed that if he was driving the MCL39, he would have already won the title. 

Ticktum agrees with Verstappen's comment and is an admirer of how he conducts himself, with the Briton believing both Norris and Piastri do not have the same mentality.

"I want Max to win," Ticktum told RacingNews365. "Max is sort of a bit of a kindred spirit on a bit of a higher level, the truth to be told. But, I think I could have been not far behind him if I didn't run into some political crap with the super license back in the day. 

"But I think I would have been a good team-mate to him. I think we would have had fun. I'm not stupid, I'd always be the first person to admit if someone's better than me, I don't think anyone is apart from him. 

"But I think I'd get a lot closer to him than others have. But yeah, massive fan of Max. I like the way he sort of doesn't really give a shit what people think either, he just does him, you know. 

"And obviously, some of the pace he manages to get out of that car sometimes is pretty incredible. There was a joke a couple weeks ago about Max being in a McLaren and he'd win, and Lando sort of clapping back with it, or whatever. 

"I'm sorry, he's absolutely right. Max in that McLaren, he would have won a long time ago this season. So, yeah, let's see if the team McLaren guys bottle it. I think both of them are relatively weak minded, if I'm honest, in their own rights. So, yeah, let's see."