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Following a decisive victory at the Lusail Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has substantially narrowed the deficit in the championship standings. He is now positioned just twelve points behind leader Lando Norris and ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, everything is in place for a nail-biting three-way championship battle at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit.

A Win Forged by Timing and Execution.

His Qatar win was anything but predictable. While he delivered a superb drive for Red Bull, the race outcome was largely determined by a controversial strategic call from the Woking-based team. Deciding not to pit during an early safety car period, McLaren presented the race lead to their rival, who pounced perfectly.

"I'm excited, I'm ready to go there and have a go at it," he stated. "I approach it with just good vibes. I will give everything I can but simultaneously, should I fall short, I still know that I had an incredible season."

This outlook according to him takes a lot of the stress. The aim for the final round is clear: to extract everything possible from himself and the RB21.

An Improbable Comeback Fueled by Innovation and Unity.

The incredible part of Verstappen's championship charge particularly notable is the margin he has fought back. After the Zandvoort round in late August, he was a massive over a century of points behind the championship leader Oscar Piastri and had essentially conceded his championship hopes.

The reversal began with significant performance updates introduced by his team at the Italian Grand Prix. Changes to the vehicle's underbody and aerodynamic package finally addressed long-standing handling problems, allowing Verstappen to regain confidence with the chassis once more.

Following those upgrades, his form has been utterly dominant, achieving five victories and several top-three finishes. He was eager to praise the collective effort behind this resurgence.

"We have triumphed where maybe the odds were against us, by making the right call as a group," he explained. "The way I work with my engineer, GP and the whole team... we are deeply connected."

The Stakes for a Unforgettable Finale.

As the teams head to Abu Dhabi, the mathematics is perfectly defined.

• The championship leader will claim his debut world title if he outpaces both his two rivals or secures a place on the rostrum.
• Max Verstappen needs victory and hope that his rival is not in the top three.
• Oscar Piastri, trailing by sixteen points, has to win the race and witness his teammate end up no higher than sixth.

The spotlight falls squarely on the papaya-colored cars, who have let a big points cushion evaporate due to recent setbacks, including a double disqualification in Las Vegas. In his view, the situation brings a sense of freedom, transforming the ultimate Grand Prix into a pure chance to go for glory with zero pressure.