Max Verstappen issues F1 title pledge: 'Nothing to lose'

Max Verstappen has declared he has “nothing to lose” in his fight against the McLaren duo for the F1 title in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Verstappen was largely seen as a non-factor in the title across the first half of the year as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated at the front of the field.

However, an upturn in form after the summer break allowed Verstappen to become an outside contender late in the year.

A double disqualification in Las Vegas and a botched strategy in Qatar for McLaren handed a further boost to Verstappen, who enters the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just 12 points down on Norris.

Verstappen will still need things to swing in his favour in Abu Dhabi if he wishes to keep hold of the F1 trophy, but insists he is feeling comfortable ahead of the weekend.

“I'm very relaxed, nothing to lose,” Verstappen told media including RacingNews365. “I'm just enjoying being here.

“For me, it's not even about being here. I've been enjoying the second half of the season, working with the team, how we've been able to turn it around from difficult times.

“Having a debrief after the race, being very disappointed and frustrated with the performances to just enjoying, smiling, having these wins again, it's fantastic.”

Norris will seal the title by finishing the grand prix on the podium, regardless of where his rivals cross the line.

The McLaren driver has only failed to score a podium on two occasions this year at grands prix in which he has reached the chequered flag.

With Norris' strong track record behind him, Verstappen understands he is at a position of disadvantage before the weekend even gets underway.

“So I just take it, everything here is just a bonus, sitting here fighting for the title,” he said. 

“That's also what makes it very straightforward for me. We will just try to have a good weekend. But even then, it's not really in my control.

“I just have to try and enjoy it.”