Max Verstappen is heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend looking for a record-equalling fifth consecutive victory at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The Dutchman has already clinched his fourth world championship this season and would equal Lewis Hamilton’s record of five victories in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen returned to form with victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and kept out of trouble last time out in Qatar to take the win ahead of Charles Leclerc.
The Red Bull driver may have less pressure on him than the Ferrari and McLaren drivers in particular, as those two teams are fighting for the Constructors’ Championship.
Double Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen is confident Verstappen will finish in the top three and stand on the podium; he also outlined who he feels will join the reigning champion.
Mika Hakkinen feels one driver from McLaren and Ferrari will be on the podium
McLaren and Ferrari are battling for the Constructors’ Championship. Both teams have usurped Red Bull this year, but an underperforming Sergio Perez is holding them back.
The British team hold a 21-point advantage over their nearest rivals ahead of the final round of the season and have been helped by some Ferrari unreliability.
The Italian team were forced to change Leclerc’s battery, which means he will have to suffer a 10-place grid drop.
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Hakkinen explained that a McLaren driver on the podium would likely be enough for the British team to win their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998 when Hakkinen partnered with David Coulthard.
He told Speedweek: “I believe that we will see a driver from McLaren and a Ferrari on the podium alongside Verstappen, and that will be enough for McLaren to win the manufacturers’ championship.
“McLaren’s lead is currently 21 points. Ferrari has to have a perfect result and at the same time hope that McLaren gets into trouble.
“So McLaren is in an excellent position and I will be the first to congratulate team boss Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown on the title. They have done a great job of bringing McLaren back to the front. Winning the Constructors’ Championship would be a well-deserved reward.”
Winning the Constructors’ Championship would lift either McLaren or Ferrari
The Constructors’ Championship has been dominated by Red Bull and Mercedes who have exclusively shared the title since 2010, but neither of them are in the top two positions in 2024.
Winning the title would be a significant boost as Ferrari welcomes seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to the team next season.
McLaren have built a very quick car but Lando Norris made mistakes a potential world champion shouldn’t such as speeding under yellow flags in Qatar.
The British team have an advantage and should collect the trophy if they make no mistakes and both cars finish towards the sharp end at the chequered flag.
