PART ONE – George RUSSELL (Mercedes), Isack HADJAR (Racing Bulls), Charles LECLERC (Ferrari)
 
Q: Charles, can we start with you? It was a very tough weekend for you and Ferrari last time out in Qatar. Having had all the post-race debriefs, do you understand a little better the cause of all the problems?
Charles LECLERC: Well, we have ideas of what we could have tested. Whether these are the solutions is another story. So, we don't have the 100% solution to it, but we've got ideas of what we didn't try during that weekend. And, obviously, we're clearly doing something wrong during the weekend, as we weren't strong from FP1 to the race. So yeah, we have ideas. Whether we have the clear solution, I don't think so.
 
Q: So, do you think it was track specific, or do you think it could recur here in Abu Dhabi as well?
CL: No. Surely, it's been accentuated by the fact that Qatar was never going to be a track where we would be strong. But we didn’t perform at the level we should be anyway. So yeah, we should have done better even though the characteristics of the track were not good for us. But for this weekend, I expect us to be back to where we should be, which is probably third team or something like that.
 
Q: Now, this is the last Thursday press conference of the season. Can we just get your thoughts on 2025 as a whole, please? How you feel it's gone for you personally and for Ferrari?
CL: Personally, I'm quite satisfied. I think it's been a strong season on my side. You always try to improve from one season to the other, and that's what I've tried to do this year. And I'm satisfied with the work. Then, unfortunately, the performances are not where they should be, and I'm not as satisfied about the result side of things and the performance we've shown. Especially after last year that we ended up strong, the expectation was another one. But yeah, we've pushed. I think we reacted well as a team from the first race to the last race, trying to turn that situation around. It wasn't easy because we didn’t have that many upgrades, as we are focusing mostly on 2026. But yeah, I think we performed well as a team on track. Then what we are missing eventually is the performance on the car. And for that, I hope that next year will be better.
 
Q: Final one from me. World title showdown this weekend. Who do you think is going to be the world champion come Sunday night?
CL: I don't know. Again, I've changed my mind so many times this year. I thought it was Oscar, then I thought it was Max, then I don't know. I probably think it's going to be Lando. Twelve points is still significant. So, if nothing big happens to Lando, I think Lando will take it.
 
Q: Isack, let's come to you now. Many congratulations on the new job. Huge moment in your career. Just tell us what does this race seat with Red Bull Racing mean to you?
Isack HADJAR: Yeah. It's a very good moment in my career, that's for sure. For all the hard work through the years being rewarded now. Obviously, it's just the beginning of a new journey, but yeah, I'm very excited and stepping into a new era of Formula 1 as well. I think it's a very good timing.
 
Q: Can you describe the moment you found out? Who told you?
IH: Yeah, it was, again, like, there was no very cool phone call where I pick up the phone and it’s like “Yeah, you're a Red Bull Racing driver,” you know? It's not really how it worked.
 
Q: How did it work?
George RUSSELL: They sent a pigeon with a note.
IH: Ha! It was just a talk with Helmut I had. He made me understand I was driving for Red Bull, and I had to deliver. That’s it.
 
Q: Well, let's talk about delivering next year. What expectations do you think you're going to have?
IH: Yeah, I have no expectations at all because it's starting from scratch, everyone. So yeah, the work is going to be done. I'm just really looking forward to January, February, working with the team, getting to know all the people. Yeah. It's going to be crucial to try and be ahead a bit.
 
Q: Final one from me: that world title showdown on Sunday. Who do you think is going to be champion?
IH: Lando.
 
Q: Okay. Thank you very much. Good luck this weekend. George, how are you and Mercedes viewing the season finale here in Abu Dhabi?
GR: It's another race, to be honest. Obviously, we want to try and secure P2 in the Constructors’ Championship. It was a bit of a shame we couldn't achieve that in Qatar, but we have a very good shot this weekend and just go out and enjoy the last race of the season.
 
Q: How competitive were you in Qatar, or was your performance masked by being in traffic?
GR: I think, yeah, thanks to Isack, I had quite a long race in traffic. No, I think, unfortunately, we were very competitive. I think it was only really Oscar who was more competitive. I think, nine times out of ten when you are very competitive, the result is there. And I think, unfortunately, this was the one out of ten times when you do have the car, and unfortunately, it doesn't go the way you hope. And I think that lap seven Safety Car, starting on the inside – I think every driver in the first four rows who started on the inside lost at least one position – so that just compromised the whole weekend.
 
Q: In terms of the Drivers’ Championship, you're going to finish fourth this season as you did in 2022. Which has been the better season for you, do you think? 2022 or 2025?
GR: No, I think both seasons were very strong. I'd say this season, without doubt, has been my most competitive. I think 2022 was really challenging, experiencing porpoising for the first time and the challenges we were going through as a team and also my first year against Lewis. But I think, yeah, this has been a strong year.
 
Q: Final one. World champion? Lando?
GR: Lando.
 

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
 
Q: (Craig Slater – Sky Sports) A question for George. You're going for Lando. Of course, it's very tight, and it's great that the world will be watching F1 this weekend. Is it a problem at all if it takes perhaps a team order to get Lando in a situation where he can win the championship? And what do you think is the kind of limit you could ask Oscar Piastri to do? Give up a second place potentially, if he’s a distant second and can’t win the champion to allow the team to win the championship?
GR: I don't think it's acceptable or reasonable to ask a driver who's also in a shot of a championship in the very last race to move over for your team-mate. I think if it were, you know, in other seasons gone by – let's just say, you know, Checo and Max or Barrichello and Schumacher – when clearly one driver is the one going for the championship, and if in the last race, the guy who doesn't have a shot of winning the championship moves over, that is absolutely reasonable. And I think every single driver would do that. But for me, I don't think it would be fair at all. I think they both need to be given a shot. And if they lose out because of it, you just need to say the other guy did a better job, and that's racing. That's how it should be.
 
Q: (Mara Sangiorgio – Sky Sport Italy) A question for all three. On paper, do you think you have the right car to play an important role on track in this title fight? Charles, let's start with you.
CL: Well, I don't know how competitive we'll be this weekend. I think, at least for us, we expect McLaren to be extremely strong this weekend, then probably Red Bull, and then Mercedes and ourselves. Whether there will be at one point some interaction between the McLarens or the Red Bull and ourselves, I'm pretty sure there will be at one point. But I'm not here to think about any of that. I'll just do absolutely everything in order to maximise my race and then it’s up to them to the do the best job and try and get the championship, whoever the world champion will be, but that won’t be part of my thought process in my race for sure.
 
Q: Isack?
IH: I mean, I won't be racing any of these guys this weekend, to be honest. It's more like a traditional track. I think what Charles said about the ranking of the car performances makes sense. So we won't be there to disturb their fight, that's for sure.
 
Q: George?
GR: Well, I think McLaren have been so strong here the last few years. I think they were on pole and won the last couple of years, and it hasn't been our strongest track. But if we are in the mix, again, it's not really our problem. We're going out there to have the best race possible. I'm not going to risk any more or any less than any other race. For me, it's one race of 24. It's the last race of the season, but I treat every single one the same.
 
Q: (Nelson Valkenburg – Viaplay) For Isack. You said, “I need to deliver,” that’s what Red Bull said to you. How can you deliver in a car that’s been historically difficult to deliver in alongside Verstappen? What’s the plan? What’s your mindset going to be racing alongside him, and what will you be satisfied with?
IH: Well, it's not true. It’s not the same car at all next year. So that’s it. We're going to get the car we have. The team is going to build this car. I have to adapt to that car, and Max will have to do the same job. And if the car goes into one direction, at least I'll be there to feel the change. And ideally, I contribute to that change. So, you know, that would be the ideal scenario. And, you know, I've never repeated every year. I've always competed in different cars, so I don't know what it's like doing twice the same thing, the same job. So I think I'm pretty decent at adapting, so I'm actually confident.
 
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Another question for you, Isack. Congratulations on the new gig. I was talking to some of the engineers in Barcelona, your engineers at Racing Bulls, and they said that you were, in their opinion, the most similar driver to Max within that Red Bull driver stable. I don’t know if that’s something that you’ve analysed or thought of, but if that is the case, does it make this the obvious pairing to put you with Max? Because it is a new season, new regulations, so two drivers of the same style is surely better. And when did you find out that you got the gig? When was the date?
IH: I can't tell you, but let's say I found out very late. Let's say, Qatar race week. And, I mean, if that’s the line-up for next year, then I think they chose it because it makes sense. And, of course, because it's a new regulation, so the timing is just very ideal for me. And then in terms of styles, I think obviously Max is very unique – he has a very unique style – and I would say myself as well. So I'm not obviously trying to copy what he's doing. But in terms of mindset, we have some things in common. But yeah, that's it.
 
Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Can I just follow up – what would you say you have in common?
IH: What I find very impressive with Max is that after four world championships, he's still very, very hungry and very mad when it doesn't go his way, because he always wants to win. And, you know, I don't think every champion can do that. Once you pass a certain level, you can maybe slow down a bit in your approach, but he seems to be starving, just like I am. So, it's very impressive.
 
Q: (Kriya Gangiah – SuperSport South Africa) Joining Red Bull obviously marks a big step in your career. What excites you the most? And then, being from African descent, what does it feel like with the thoughts of a race probably coming to the continent?
IH: Wait, what was the first part of the question?
 
Q: (Kriya Gangiah – SuperSport South Africa) What excites you the most about this new chapter?
IH: Honestly, there's two things – being in a world champion team. When I grew up watching Formula 1, I saw Vettel winning all these races, as a kid, with Red Bull. And being team-mates with Max, to see what it's like – what facing the best level in the world feels like. You know, it's definitely super-exciting. And a race in Africa is going to happen at some time. That’s for sure. It's going to take a moment, but it's going to happen.
 
Q: (Stuart Codling – Autosport) Question for George. Ahead of the Qatar GP, there was a meeting between the GPDA and the FIA about the Driver Guidelines. The press release afterwards sort of suggested that you had all had a very nice chat, but nothing’s going to change. Could you say from your position as a director of the GPDA what the temperature is among the drivers, the level of satisfaction about that, and what opinions you had?
GR: Well, I haven't seen the press release, so I can't comment on what was said there. I think it was agreed that nothing would change for the rest of this season, which I do think is correct. We've always asked for consistency, and it would be unfair to change that approach now. But I think the general consensus is always – guidelines need to be taken as guidelines. And we want the best Stewards, the best racing knowledge to judge certain incidents based upon their own experience. And I think that was clear when you put 20 F1 drivers in a room reviewing – I don't know how many we reviewed, six or seven incidents – we all agreed upon what the penalty should have been or not, regardless of what the guidelines said. So yeah, I hope there's a follow-up and look forward to hearing what they're thinking ahead of 2026.
 
Q: (Niharika Ghorpade – Sportskeeda) To Charles and George: if on Sunday you are to factor into the championship, how are you going to go about it? Do you want to be a part of that mix at any point, or do you want to avoid it?
CL: Well, I'd rather just win the race and have nothing to do with the way they fight for the championship. That's one way to look at it. But again, whether I'm fighting for second, third, fourth, or whichever position I find myself in, whoever is behind, I'll just fight him the same way just because I want to maximise that last race, and I'm fighting for my team. So again, there's nothing of that title battle that will cross my mind, because I just want to maximise my car potential. So yeah, I'll fight as hard for whoever is behind or in front and try to maximise our result.
GR: Yeah. Exactly the same.
 
Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) A question to George and to Charles. What do you think it is that your teams have missed the most versus Red Bull and McLaren in this rule set overall? And is there any question mark for you over whether or not your teams can definitely nail it next year if they didn't get on top of it in this rule set?
GR: I think it's been an extremely challenging set of regs, to be honest. And obviously, this second half of the year, Red Bull have been on a very high level. But if I were to answer that question at the summer break, I would have argued that we were at a similar level to Red Bull. And if you compare that to ’23 – Aston Martin were ahead of ourselves and Ferrari and dropped off, McLaren were nowhere and obviously just found something pretty spectacular. So, I can't really answer that question – what it is we've missed. I think it's probably more where we started. I think we probably started in the wrong place and led ourselves down the wrong path and then had to revert. And clearly Red Bull, out of the blocks, had the least amount of porpoising in ’22 and almost had a six- or eight-month head start on everybody while we were trying to work that out. So, I don't think this regulation is really going to have any impact on the next set of regs, because the issues are going to be totally different.
CL: I agree. I think for us there's not only one reason. There are many reasons which, at different times, played a role. In the beginning of ’22, we actually started off quite strongly, but we were struggling with porpoising, where Red Bull had a very stable platform. And they were actually quite a lot overweight, so as soon as they took off that weight, they were suddenly at the level where they've been since then. And then for last year, we focused very early on next year’s car, which I hope is a bet that will be a winning one. But for sure, it has some influence from the last two thirds of the season where we've been struggling more than others because we didn't bring that many upgrades. But in general, it's just been a generation of car that was very, very difficult to understand. And what worked back at the factory – I think everybody has been surprised once or more times that when you bring it on track, it doesn't correlate exactly to what you were expecting from that part. And that was the challenge of it. And yeah, and other teams did better, especially McLaren and Red Bull.
 
Q: (Alejandro Alonso Lopez – Diario Motor.com) Question to Charles. It’s been overall a tough season, but as you said, it’s one to be proud of. What lessons are you taking on to next year from yourself as a driver that you will be able to apply going forward?
CL: I think as a driver, obviously the first few years in F1, it was very clear what I had to work on because the weaknesses when you arrive in Formula 1 are much bigger. So it's very easy to target only one thing you want to improve, and that was race management and tyre management in my first few years. Then you improve those things, and then it's all about the details. And the experience you get in Formula 1 helps you to fine-tune the little things you want to get better at. So there's not one main lesson I will take from this year to next year – just many more little lessons that you keep in mind and try to fine-tune and get better at.
 
Q: (Kumar Shyam Motwani – Al Ittihad) Question for Isack. You have competed on the Yas Marina Circuit during your junior days and with the Asian Championship. How do you think your track knowledge from your junior days will help you here when you're levelling up, especially when you want to finish the season with a flourish? Do you think it will be an advantage?
IH: Yeah, I think Abu Dhabi is probably the track I've driven the most in my career. I’ve done, honestly, a lot of laps here. So, I think it's the only track probably on the calendar where I drove an F1 car before – apart from Mexico. So yeah, for once, I definitely feel like there's not a lot to learn. Sometimes I know a track really well, but I've only done it in lower categories, and the step to F1 is obviously huge. So, everything feels very different. But now, yeah, for sure it's going to help. But at the end of the day, it's three free practice sessions. You're going to reach the limits quite early in the weekend, and then it's all fine-tuning.
 
Q: (Leonid Kliuev – Grande Premio Brazil) Question for all three. Kimi, of course, became a target of online abuse after Qatar. Did any of you have a chance to talk to Kimi, and how can we make sure it won't happen in the future? Thank you.
GR: Yeah, I think it's pretty unacceptable what happened and what was written and the abuse online. Obviously, it all started with a mistake from the Red Bull guys, and of course, they apologised, and that's okay. People make a mistake, especially when you don't have the full facts. But I think those thousands of people behind their keyboards have no excuse and really need to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror and think why that is acceptable – not just for F1, but just society altogether. I just struggle to comprehend it, really. So that's all I can say.
IH: I haven't spoken to Kimi, but it's just unfair, especially when you're giving your absolute maximum during your race to bring it home – I think it was fourth. You make a mistake, and then there are all these things said about you online. I think it's just very unfair because you give your absolute maximum, and then it seems like you did this mistake on purpose, which I think is very not nice. And yeah, people behind their keyboards, like George said, are just idiots. They all know nothing about racing – never drove ever in their life – so that's the only reason why they comment.
CL: Yeah, I don't have much more to add apart from that. It's unacceptable. And obviously, those people face no consequence for their words and for their disrespect towards drivers. So yeah, it's not up to us to think about the consequences that they should endure, but it's a big shame because, as they said, we’re all here trying to do our absolute best. We've done racing since we were kids, dreaming of being in that position, and today we're doing absolutely everything in order to be at the limit. And sometimes mistakes happen. In that particular case, also, the hate was for absolutely nothing. So yeah, I mean, I didn’t speak with Kimi. The only thing that you can do in those kinds of moments is to ignore everything that is happening, but that’s obviously very hard – especially when you are... I remember my first or second year in F1, you kind of look sometimes on social media at what's being said around you, or at least that was the case for me, and that makes it even more difficult. So yeah, then I think with experience you kind of get used to it, but we shouldn’t really have to get used to this kind of behaviour, and I hope that one day it will be tackled properly.
 
Q: (Diletta Colombo – AutoMoto.it) Question for Charles. You were talking before about the decision to stop the aerodynamic development of the car early on in the season. How much of a psychological burden was it for you to know that you'd be at a technical disadvantage as the season progressed?
CL: Well, not so much because we were at a technical disadvantage from the first race. So, it's not like it changed massively our approach to the season. And we saw it relatively quickly that we wouldn't be fighting for the world title because McLaren was too strong, Red Bull was obviously starting to make big gains, it wasn't very much of a point to put all our resources into trying to take the third or second place – if everything was going super well – in the Constructors', at the cost of next year, whichever cost it may be. So yeah, it’s never something you want to do. I would have much preferred pushing the development the whole year to try and clinch that world title, 100%. But if you are in the position that we were in at the beginning of the year, I think it was kind of a no-brainer. So, I don’t regret it.

 
PART TWO – Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing), Lando NORRIS (McLaren), Oscar PIASTRI (McLaren)

Q: We're joined by the title protagonists. One of these gentlemen will be the 2025 FIA Formula One World Champion come Sunday night. Let's kick things off with this. Tell us about your preparations and how you're going to approach the season finale. Lando, perhaps we could start with you.

Lando NORRIS: Sure. Same as every weekend. Nothing changed. Of course, just some reviews of last weekend, like the same after every weekend really—review what went on, what was clearly and obviously not good for us, some of the mistakes we’ve made, and also the less obvious things that we could improve on. But that’s normal post-race understandings and therefore preparations for the next race. But otherwise, nothing does change. I mean, it gets treated the same from everyone inside the team. Just more excitement, I guess, for everyone at the same time. But apart from that, the work and how you approach it all remains the same

Q: Max, please.

Max VERSTAPPEN: Spent some time with my daughter, figured some stuff out for GT3 for next year, figured out some stuff for my sim team as well, planning for next year. So, yeah, just pretty straightforward stuff before arriving here, to be honest.

Q: Oscar?

Oscar PIASTRI: I mean, I wasn’t organising GT3 teams, but I played some padel, and just treated it like normal. Obviously, there’s not that many days in between. Had a marketing day, so that was good fun, and that’s been about it.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (David Croft – Sky Sports F1) Before I ask a question, to each and every one of you guys, best of luck for Sunday, and thank you for a great season. It's been an absolute pleasure to watch, and I speak on behalf of everybody for that. May the best driver win—but only one of you can. When you reflect on this year, to each one of you, what incidents will go down as they were the ones where the title got away? And we’ll start with the championship leader first, then Max, then Oscar.

LN: I mean, there’s always little things along the way. Of course, there are probably some more obvious ones from my side. You know, if I go back to Canada, probably being the most like ‘just put my hands up in the air—I messed up’. It cost me a good amount of points. Yeah. China, I’ve been unlucky in qualifying. And then just some little things along the way. It's probably like that for everyone. There certainly is for everyone. Otherwise, there’s some other bits where, probably the same for all of us here, at times, you get a bit unlucky, whether it was the DNF in Zandvoort or the disqualification. That’s not unlucky. That’s just not doing a good enough job as a team. But the disqualification in Vegas as well cost me a good amount of points. So yeah, I wouldn’t say anything obvious. It was just a couple of parts from my side that I have to put my hands up and admit I didn’t do a very good job. And then a couple from us as a team where we have to admit we also didn’t do a good enough job, including last weekend. But that’s probably about it.

MV: At the end of the day, of course, it’s one over 24 races. Some races go a bit better than others. A lot of the races we didn’t have a lot of pace or enough pace to challenge for a win, but here we are. So, in general, I’m just very proud of the season that we’ve done, how we've come back as well in the second half. So yeah, we’ll just try and keep it fun now ‘til the end. But yeah, to always pinpoint on one particular moment is a hard one.

OP: Yeah, I mean, there are a few moments to choose from, I’d say, unfortunately. But I think for everyone, there’s always moments, and no season is ever going to be perfect. So, I think it's not particularly useful picking out “I lost this amount of points here, this amount of points there," because everyone’s lost a certain amount of points at some point along the way. But yeah, definitely on my side of things, there’s been a few races or a few moments I’d like to have again. Same thing as the team, I’m sure. But yeah, picking one—I don’t think there’s one that’s hurt more than others.

Q: (Marina Becker – TV Bandeirantes) I know that you're trying—the three of you—to face this weekend as a normal weekend, but it’s not. I just wanted to know if your parents are here, and some friends, and did you allow them to come, or did you ask them to come?

LN: A mix. I mean, it’s end of season. Every year I invite some of my friends because they’re just as important as the rest in terms of – a lot of my friends support me every weekend, support me every week, cheer for me. I always lean on my friends for advice and help in different moments. So yeah, win or lose, end of the season, it’s always nice to share it with them. But I do that every year, so it’s nothing special from that point of view. And my parents come to many races, and they’re here again because it’s the final one – not because of it being a good one or a bad one or whatever it may be. They come to the final race of the season every time. So, a little mix, but no, I want them to be there because it’s a moment again, win or lose, it’s a moment where I just want to share every bit that I can with my friends, with my family, because it’s also fun for them.

MV: No. Parents are not here. My dad is rallying in Africa. And my mom… Yeah, I guess it was not planned. I also didn’t really plan to be in the title fight till the end. So, yeah, here we are. Yeah, I think after Zandvoort everything was a bit cancelled, I would say. My mom is at home happy with the dogs. So yeah. You can see a lot on TV anyway.

OP: Yeah, my family is here. Kind of similar to Lando in some ways. It’s the last race. I’ve done a lot of racing without any of my family and friends in my career, so it is always nice to have them there. But it doesn’t change the world, let’s say. It is nice, obviously, but I know some people actually prefer it when their parents aren’t there or they don’t have people around. But for me, it is a nice thing.

Q: (Tom Slafer – DAZN Spain) This week, everyone is giving their opinions on who they think will win the championship. I think we’ve been asking all the other drivers who they think will win the championship. So, let me ask you three: who do you think takes that trophy?

LN: Well, everyone’s going to say each other, so...

Q: (Nelson Valkenburg – Viaplay) For both Lando and Oscar, it’s been some time since you’ve changed engines, and we’ve seen some Mercedes engines go this year. Is this on your mind in any way, shape, or form for this weekend?

OP: To be honest with you, I don’t even know which engine I’ve got in or when we changed it or whatever. So, no, I’m not concerned.

LN: Same.

Q: (Tim Hauraney – TSN) Question for Max. Max, I know you said your mom was at home looking after the dogs and your dad was off rallying, but did either of them give you any words of encouragement coming into this weekend at all?

MV: We are not like that. They know that when I sit in the car, I will give everything I have. I just speak to them about other stuff. So, they don’t need to motivate me. That doesn’t really work like that. But of course, they always support me, you know? My mom always lights a candle before every race weekend. But yeah, I guess they trust their son.

Q: (Rachel Brookes – Sky F1) Lando, is there a scenario where you’re in the final laps of the race and you’re running in P4 with Oscar in P3 and Max is leading? Oscar knew this was coming. I could see from the smile on your face. Is there a scenario where you would expect or even want him to make it easy for you to pass if he’s out of contention? And has that been discussed at all?

LN: No. Not been discussed. And honestly, I mean, I would love it, but I don’t think I would ask it. Because… I don’t know, it’s up to Oscar if he would allow it, you know? I don’t think it’s necessarily down to me. It’s the same if it’s the other way around. Would I be willing to or not? Personally, I think I would just because I feel like I’m always like that, and that’s just how I am. But yeah, it’s not really up to me. I’m not going to ask it. I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question. And at the same time, if that’s how it ends and Max wins, then well, that’s it. Congrats to him and I look forward to next year. It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change my life. So, he will deserve it over us.

Q: Oscar, have you given that scenario any thought at all?

OP: Rachel asked it to Lando! It’s not something we’ve discussed. So, yeah. I mean, until I know what’s kind of expected… I don’t really have an answer until I know what’s expected of me.

Q: (Steve Crossman – BBC 5 Live) I just wanted to ask all of you really about teammates. So, for Lando and Oscar, it’d be interesting to hear what you guys like and admire about each other—whether that’s as drivers or as human beings. And if you wouldn’t mind, Max, off the bat—just curious to know what you think, especially because you’re going to get a new one—what makes for a good team-mate?

LN: Umm….

OP: Don’t rush into it!

LN: Yeah, there’s just so many to choose from. I think what I like about him is just his general attitude of how he approaches everything. Always, I mean, I said it a few weeks ago, but just always pretty calm, pretty relaxed in every situation, stays cool. That’s something I admire and I think is something that at times I wish I was a little bit more like. But, you know, everyone does their own thing. You always try and find what works best for you. But there’s still things from every driver, even when I was growing up, that you admire in them, don’t like in them, whatever it may be, you know? But I think also the most important thing is just how you get on personally. I’ve always got on well with my team-mates. It’s easy not to. It takes one decision to make everything not be the way it is. And I think that’s something we’ve done well. It obviously makes our life hard as a team because we have two drivers fighting for a championship instead of one, and that also has its complications at times and its difficulties. Allows for other parties to enter the chat more often. But we’re still happy that we’re both up there. And I think how we’ve worked together, how we just treat each other, whether it’s on the track, off the track, whatever it may be, is just a good way of approaching everything, I think. Not everyone would agree with it, which is completely acceptable and understandable. But I think we both have a similar approach in terms of just wanting to go on track, prove who’s better, try and drive the quickest, but also come off and enjoy our life when the helmet’s off. When it’s just us as people, us as personalities. And I think that’s something that I have a lot of respect for, and I enjoy. I think I’ll look back on it in ten years’ time and say the same thing.

OP: Yeah. I mean, his car collection. I’m trying to catch up! But no, honestly, similar things. Like, I think it’s nice that we’re able to leave what happens on track, on the track, and be friendly off the track. I think, like Lando said, it’s very easy for it to not be that way, and that definitely takes cooperation from both parties. So, yeah, I think for me, that’s probably what I…. I mean, ‘admire’ sounds a bit strong in teammates but I think that is a very good strength of Lando’s.

MV: Yeah. Just the timing. You want me a long answer or not? I just—what you want from a teammate? Good in also developing the car with the team. Good understanding between the drivers. Friendly, funny, open-minded, not hiding things throughout the weekend between the two drivers. So, yeah, in general, just trying to push the team forward. I think that’s the most important. If you are good friends off track, that’s a nice bonus but not necessarily needed, as long as you are very professional on track and it benefits the team.

Q: (Rodrigo França – Car Magazine Brazil) Question to Lando and Oscar. Max said his mother lights a candle before each race. So do your mothers have this kind of ritual, and do they tell you to be careful on the track, for example?

OP: I don’t think my mom has any rituals, so to speak. Yes, she does tell me to be careful, and she normally likes it when there’s no other cars around me, which is understandable. I like that too. But apart from that, there’s nothing special. You know, obviously for my mom and, well, I mean, everyone that watches me race from Australia it’s pretty brutal at the best of times trying to stay up. So, there are a lot of sleepless nights for everyone, a lot of tough Monday mornings, regardless of what the result’s been. So, yeah, it’s always nice to have their support.

LN: Similar. I mean, my mom does many things – different shoes, odd-coloured shoes, whatever, she does a lot of different stuff. She doesn’t, I think, do anything that I know of that’s like Max said. But yeah, she also tells me similar things: stay away from the others and be careful. I guess it’s just a different mentality. You know, like Max’s mom was a racing driver, so I think she understands probably more than our moms might do. So, I think they get maybe a bit more scared because they don’t understand everything that goes on quite as well. But yeah, I love my mom, so it’s good.

Q: (Scott Mitchell-Malm – The Race) It’s a question to all three, starting with Max. In terms of dealing with the weight of the occasion—you’ve obviously been here and done it. And compared to 2021 in particular, how are you feeling about it in terms of tension or whatever? Because I think I remember in '21 you said you ended up driving with cramp during the Grand Prix because it was obviously so stressful. And then for the two McLaren drivers—how are you dealing with the pressure?

MV: I’m very relaxed. Nothing to lose, you know? So, I’m just enjoying being here. But for me, it’s not even about being here. I’ve been enjoying the second half of the season, working with the team, how we’ve been able to turn it around from difficult times and really having a debrief after the race, being very disappointed and frustrated with the performances to just enjoying, smiling. Having these wins again is fantastic. So, I just take it – everything here is just a bonus, sitting here fighting for the title. So that’s also what makes it very straightforward for me. We will just try to have a good weekend. But then even then, it’s not really in my control, you know? So we just, yeah, like I said, try to enjoy it.

LN: Similar. I know I’ve obviously not been in this situation before, so pretty different, I guess, for both of us. But at the minute, I feel good. Like, I really don’t think of it at all until you guys ask it all the time. So, it’s trying to avoid you guys as much as possible! But that’s also part of the job. So it’s nothing new. It’s nothing that shocks me. Whatever. I come into the weekend not thinking of it. For the last three days, just playing some golf and being with my mates and having a good time. And I look forward to doing that on Monday, whether I’m hungover or not. So, yeah, really it is the same, and I think it’ll be the same on track as how I’ve been the last few weeks. As much as there’s been pressure the last few weeks, I’ve still felt comfortable and I still feel good in the car. So, just yeah. All good.

OP: Yeah, I’m relaxed. I’ve been on the opposite side of the championship battle in the junior categories, and I know what that felt and it was pretty tough. So, coming into it from, you know, the least to lose out of us three is quite different for me. And I think off the back of Qatar, I’ve got a lot of confidence that I can perform well. Obviously, I need a fair few things to happen this weekend to come out champion, but I’ll just make sure I’m in the right place at the right time and see what happens.

Q: (Christian Menath – Motorsport-magazin.com) Question to the two McLaren drivers. What’s the situation regarding sharing data this weekend? Are you working together as teammates as all the other weekends before, or is there anything different this weekend?

OP: We’ve set up a cardboard barrier between the two of us. No, it’s the same as usual. Obviously, we want to go out and make the car as quick as possible and win. We’ve always wanted the same opportunities to go out and win races. So that’s exactly the same this weekend.

LN: Nothing more to add. I don’t think Zak or Andrea would let us even if we wanted to. So, no. It’s the same as every weekend.

Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Question for Lando. Max has been saying, you know, he has nothing to lose. Oscar just then said he has the least to lose. Do you feel like because you’re the leader, you have the most to lose? And what’s it like navigating that? And just one to Max—you’ve obviously been here before in ’21. Do you think that gives you an advantage because you’ve been here and done it?

LN: I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top. Yeah. And I’ll do my best to stay there till the end of the year, a few more days. At the same time, if it doesn’t go my way, then I try again next year. It’ll hurt probably for a little while, but then, yeah, that’s life. I’ll crack on and try and do better next season. So, I also feel like I have the mentality of "I have nothing to lose," because it’s just a race for a championship. But in 30 years’ time, I probably won’t think of it that much either way. So, I’m not too bothered. I’ll do the best I can. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, then I’ll try again next year.

MV: I mean, trophy looks the same. You know, I have four of those at home, so it’s nice to add a fifth. Yeah. I mean, I know my signature, so it’s the same. But yeah, I mean, of course you always try to win it. But at the same time, I’ve already achieved everything that I wanted to achieve in F1, and everything is just a bonus. And I just keep doing it because I love it and I enjoy it. And that’s also how I go into this weekend—have a good time out there, try to maximise the result. And even with that, maximising the result? I don’t even know what that means in terms of where you are in the ranking, you know? Because realistically, I don’t think we are the quickest. But you never know. A lot of things can happen—like it did also in Qatar. So we’ll just see.

Q: (Radek Mazal – TV Nova) Question for Max. We've been talking about Lando's and Oscar's engines. But how about yours, Max? You used the fifth one—the new one—in São Paulo, but last race you used the fourth one again, the old one. So how is it going to be here in Abu Dhabi? Thank you.

MV: Maybe use the fifth one… or the fourth. They all run. So, we'll see. It doesn't matter. I mean, they all work. So that's the most important.

Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) A question for the two McLaren drivers. Max has said he’s already achieved everything he wants in F1 by becoming World Champion. But for the two of you, what would it mean to be lifting the trophy that's to your left at the World Championship Gala?

LN: I don’t know. Ask me, hopefully, in a few days or a few weeks then. I think this has been my whole life. It's everything I've worked towards my whole life. So, it would mean the world to me. It would mean the world to everyone that’s supported me and pushed me for the last, what is it, like 16 years of my life in terms of trying to get to this point. So, it would mean everything. It would mean my life until now has been a success, and I’ve accomplished that dream I had when I was a kid. Other than that, I don’t know what else to say. It’s a reward for a lot of hard work that goes into things, and I think it goes to whoever deserves it the most.

OP: I mean, it'd be pretty cool, to be honest. But I think it often takes a little while for those kinds of things to settle in. And at the same time, next season starts in a few weeks. So, I think regardless of whatever you've achieved in the past – Max is probably the most qualified to say this – but I think you move on pretty quick and try and win the next race that’s in front of you. So yeah, obviously it would be a very cool achievement. But I’m not getting my hopes up too high. We’ll see what happens. And yeah, if I can achieve it, then I’ll be a pretty happy guy.

Q: (Ben Waterworth – Speedcafe) Question to Oscar. The last two times we’ve had a championship with two or more drivers, the driver in third actually did come home with the championship. Can you take much inspiration from Kimi and Seb? And you touched on the support from Australia – so much support back home, it even reached Parliament this week, the discussion around it. Are you feeling that at the moment from back home?

OP: I did see it reach Parliament. Yeah, that’s quite impressive. Nice stat to have, given that I’m in that position. But just because history has gone that way once doesn’t mean it will again. So, I’m certainly not leaning on that, but maybe it gives me the tiniest amount of comfort that it is possible.

And I think the support from back home has been really special. I obviously don’t see a huge amount of it. I’ve not being back to Australia since the Grand Prix but I think the fact that Formula 1 and regardless of why it was in Parliament, the fact that my name is in Parliament in Australia is pretty cool in some ways. A pretty cool thing. And I guess it signifies the magnitude of the support and the following that we've had back home. So that's very, very cool to see, and I’ll try my best to bring it home for everyone.

Q: (Leonid Kliuev – Grande Premio Brazil) Question for Oscar. Your mentor, Mark [Webber], famously lost to Seb back in 2010 here. When you fight here, will it be partly a retribution, a gesture towards Mark?

OP: No. I think for me, I'm trying to do it for myself. Ultimately, as racing drivers, we’re pretty selfish people most of the time. And ultimately, we’re the only ones in the car doing it for our own personal pride. Obviously, there are a lot of people along the journey – your family, your friends, managers, whoever it might be, people that supported you. But ultimately, you start out in this sport because you want to do it for yourself. So yeah, that’s first and foremost. I’m sure Mark would love to see me win, obviously. But yeah, there' are no kind of thoughts about paying that back or anything like that.

ENDS