George Russell has openly criticized the idea of McLaren possibly instructing Oscar Piastri to support teammate Lando Norris in the final race of the Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi. Addressing the prospect that team orders may influence the outcome, Russell emphasized that such requests would not be justifiable given the current championship standings and stakes, placing attention on the debate around team strategy as the title showdown approaches.
Three Drivers Remain in Title Contention Heading Into Decider
The season finale at Yas Marina Circuit is set to crown the 2025 Formula 1 world champion, with three drivers still mathematically able to win the title. Lando Norris leads the standings by a 12-point margin over Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s reigning champion, while Oscar Piastri is just four points behind Verstappen. Scenarios are already being discussed where team orders might come into play, especially if Verstappen secures the lead and Piastri’s chance at the championship becomes untenable, potentially setting the stage for Piastri to make way for Norris should the British driver be right behind him on track.
Russell Challenges Notions of Sacrifice Among Contenders
The 2025 championship contest took a new dynamic after Verstappen’s resurgence following the summer break, shifting it from a duel between the two McLaren drivers to a three-way fight. George Russell, driving for Mercedes and ranked fourth in the standings, is the only non-contender this year to have clinched a victory. He dismissed the acceptability of compelling a championship-hopeful teammate to yield position in such high-stakes circumstances:
“I don’t think it’s acceptable or reasonable to ask a driver who’s also in with a shot of a championship in the very last race to move over for your team-mate.”
– George Russell, Mercedes F1 Driver
Russell contrasted this situation with precedent from previous seasons, referencing moments when one team member no longer had mathematical title chances and was asked to help another. He described those cases as reasonable, but strongly believed that both Norris and Piastri deserve an equal opportunity to compete for the title:
“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.”
– George Russell, Mercedes F1 Driver
Hamilton Weighs In: The Pressure of Being Chased
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, knows the tension of title showdowns firsthand, having narrowly missed out to Verstappen in 2021. Now watching from the sidelines as Ferrari’s lead driver, Hamilton reflected on the psychological dynamics faced by Norris, who enters the final race as the “hunted.”
“It’s always way easier being the hunter. It’s so much easier to be the hunter,”
said the Ferrari driver. – Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari F1 Driver
Hamilton further described the challenge of sustaining a championship lead under pressure from rivals, noting the mental and tactical demands involved:
“It’s the same thing when you’ve got nothing to lose but everything to gain. When you have everything to lose and nothing to gain except for holding on position. So it’s much, much different.”
– Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari F1 Driver
Asked about advice for Norris, Hamilton replied with characteristic competitiveness:
“I’m not rooting for anybody but myself and this team.”
– Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari F1 Driver
Alonso Predicts Strategic Mind Games Among Title Rivals
Fernando Alonso, the grid’s other former world champion, expects psychological tactics to play just as significant a role as outright speed at Abu Dhabi. With vast experience in title-deciding races, Alonso pointed to the subtle influence of mind games in and out of the car:
“There’s always a little bit of games,”
– Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Driver
The veteran described the nuanced body language and pressure tactics at play throughout race weekend, from practice sessions to driver briefings:
“You meet at the drivers’ briefing, there is a different body language for sure for all three of them.”
– Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Driver
Alonso also commented on the ongoing rivalry between Verstappen and Norris, following Verstappen’s claim that he would have clinched the championship earlier if he had been driving for McLaren. Alonso remained circumspect about whether the best car or best driver would ultimately win the title:
“But you never know. In my case, we all will say that we can win the championship with the best car. We all have that self-confidence.”
– Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Driver
When asked if the title could go to a driver who is not the absolute best on the grid, Alonso offered a wry observation based on two decades of F1 outcomes:
“This has been happening for the last 19 years now,”
– Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Driver
“So, it will be the 20th.”
– Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 Driver
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Weekend Schedule and What’s at Stake
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend begins with practice on Friday, followed by qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday. Key sessions include Formula 2 and the main Grand Prix build-up alongside final preparations for each of the three title aspirants. Fans can expect an intense schedule with sessions starting from early morning each day and coverage provided by Sky Sports.
This finale concludes one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory, highlighted by McLaren’s dramatic rise, Verstappen’s relentless drive, and the unexpected three-way battle. For Piastri and Norris, negotiating both intra-team rivalry and title pressure will require exceptional composure. For Verstappen, an opportunity to capitalize on rivals’ potential missteps remains alive through the last lap.
With Russell’s comments amplifying scrutiny of team strategies, all eyes will be on whether McLaren lets both drivers race uninhibited or prioritizes the championship lead with coordinated tactics. The outcome at Yas Marina could influence how future title-deciding races are managed by teams when their own drivers are both in contention. F1’s rules and culture around team orders are certain to face renewed debate, regardless of who stands atop the podium at season’s end.
