Zak Brown fires 'game on' claim as Max Verstappen F1 title threat intensifies

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has fired that it is "game on" for the F1 drivers' title in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following Max Verstappen securing pole position. 

Verstappen came alive in the final part of qualifying to comfortably beat Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole at the Yas Marina Circuit, by over one-tenth of a second. 

The four-time world champion delivered two stunning laps to leave Norris and Piastri with a mountain to climb, something both failed to do. 

With Verstappen on pole, he stands a great chance at victory, which would leave Norris needing to finish on the podium to become world champion. 

Brown is aware that the threat of Verstappen is hotter than ever and is expecting a dramatic season finale.

"It's definitely game on," Brown told Viaplay. "It's going to be an epic race tomorrow. Top three guys in the championship, one, two and three on the grid. 

"That was a hard qualifying session. Max pulled out an awesome lap time twice, and let's see what the race brings tomorrow."

Verstappen had faced difficulties in practice which resulted in Red Bull changes before qualifying, yet Brown was still not surprised by the lap time he delivered for pole.

Asked if Verstappen's Q3 lap times came as a surprise, Brown replied: Not shocked, but yeah, he didn't show his hand. 

"But he's a four-time world champion, so when he needed to put the lap time down, he did. So, you know, Chucky did it."