Red Bull reveal why Max Verstappen did not 'play tactics' with McLaren in F1 title decider

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has explained why Max Verstappen did not back the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Milton Keynes-based squad ultimately decided against "playing tactics" during the title decider, which Verstappen won comfortably from pole.

However, with Norris clinching the third and final podium position at the Yas Marina Circuit, the British driver beat the four-time F1 drivers' champion to the crown by two points.

McLaren neutralised the threat of Verstappen strategically pushing its two drivers into the chasing pack in the opening phase of the 58-lap race by starting Piastri on hard tyres.

Mekies acknowledged it was "quite clever" from the constructors' champions and admitted his team did not expect it.

The Australian was eventually run so long into the race that the Red Bull driver pitted and re-passed him on Lap 41.

When Piastri came in the following lap, it provided Verstappen the opportunity to pit for a second time and retain the lead, something that would have then allowed him to deploy the approach which was anticipated pre-race, something Lewis Hamilton tried to no avail against Nico Rosberg at the same circuit in 2016.

However, that second pit stop did not come, and the Dutchman took the chequered flag by over 12 seconds.

In his post-race debrief with the press, Mekies explained why Verstappen did not conform to expectations. 

"It was possible to do it," the Frenchman told media, including RacingNews365. "We didn't feel it was the right option for us.

"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, with other situations we were in.

"So we chose to stay out to maximise the advantage we had and to concentrate on winning the race."

The 48-year-old revealed Red Bull had considered the idea, but ultimately took the view that the action behind Verstappen was outside of its control.

"And, as we said, we can't control what's behind us," Mekies added. "We did discuss that option, but we stuck to our plan."