Max Verstappen hasn’t enjoyed the most dominant season that he ever has in 2024, and has actually been run close for his money.
McLaren and Lando Norris began the year with the fourth fastest car and impressively managed to keep the drivers’ title race going until the triple header to round off the year.
It means that while he hasn’t been able to match his tally of 10 race victories in a row, or beat his 19 wins in a season set in the RB19 last year – he does have one final chance to make history.
After securing his fourth consecutive championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he now has the chance to make history alongside two greats of the sport this weekend.
How Max Verstappen can match Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton’s winning record
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set up to be a thriller this weekend, with both McLaren and Ferrari set to duel for the constructors championship.
While a Verstappen win would get in the way of their battle, it would help him join both Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton in sharing a special record.
A victory would mean that he has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the fifth consecutive occasion – an incredibly rare feat.
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Hamilton achieved it between the years of 2017 and 2021 at the Spanish Grand Prix with a dominant Mercedes car.
While Senna managed it during his prime years around one of his favourite circuits – winning the Monaco Grand Prix five times in a row between 1989 and 1993.
Who can get in Verstappen’s way in Abu Dhabi?
Based on the unpredictability of Formula 1 over the last few months, there are quite a few drivers that could prevent Verstappen’s streak from continuing.
Starting with both McLaren drivers, both Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri have proven to be consistent threats this season and the warmer conditions should suit their car.
Ferrari have a lot on the line too, with the chance to end a 16-year championship drought, expect Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to be on the ball.
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz explains why Ferrari chose to replace him with Lewis Hamilton
Depending on the conditions, a cooler race could suit Mercedes and bring both Hamilton and George Russell into the mix.
It’s hard to count anyone else in the fight without a minor miracle – including Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez, who may be about to conduct his last weekend as a Formula 1 driver.
