Red Bull F1 Boss Makes Gloomy Prediction for the Championship Climax in Abu Dhabi

Red Bull and Mercedes have been pushing each other to the limit so far this season for the championship. Now as they prepare to battle for the final race in Abu Dhabi, team principal Christian Horner does have some concerns for Yas Marina.

Max Verstappen was defeated at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend and now is on level points with Lewis Hamilton in the standings. Last season saw the Dutch driver dominate the Abu Dhabi GP, but with changes made this year, Red Bull have doubts they can win.

Red Bull’s Horner is concerned about one aspect of the Abu Dhabi GP

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, the British boss said, “They changed the layout (Abu Dhabi) and unfortunately the engine speed that Hamilton has is unraceable. I mean he was a second quicker in sector two and three. Max would pull half a second by Turn 13. You can’t defend against that.”

Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during the race REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri

“It is the most frustrating thing for a driver to be sitting with that kinda deficit. That’s been really frustrating in the last three, four races, just watching that dominant straightline performance, which you can’t do anything about,” the Red Bull boss concluded.

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Christian Horner has faith in Max Verstappen for the final race

Both Hamilton and Verstappen are tied on 369.5 points in the driver’s standings. Now they are preparing to face each other off for one final time this season in a race that will decide the championship.

Horner is backing his Red Bull prodigy by saying on the podcast, “It’s not over yet.We have seven days. Max is a fighter. And if there is a driver that deserves that championship is Max Verstappen because Mercedes have had the better car. He has driven outstandingly. Max has been head and shoulders for me the driver of the year.”

Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas during the race Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic

“He would be very deserving winning that championship. The way he has driven this year, the way he has conducted himself, I think that has been outstanding,” he explained.

Who do you think will come out on top? Will Lewis take home his eighth title? or will Max win his first? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Read More: Christian Horner Slams ‘Market’ Type Negotiations Between Michael Masi & Red Bull F1

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