Max Verstappen's remarkable comeback in the F1 title chase has captivated fans and experts alike, with Sébastien Buemi adding his voice to the chorus of support. Buemi, a former F1 driver now competing in Formula E and WEC, and a simulator driver for Red Bull, believes Verstappen has the talent and determination to secure a record-equalling fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen's journey to the top has been nothing short of extraordinary. Starting 104 points behind Lando Norris after the Dutch GP, he now trails by just 12 points. The Red Bull driver's stunning comeback is all the more remarkable considering the challenges he faced. Buemi acknowledges that Verstappen is far from an average driver, stating, 'I think he can, but he’ll need a bit of luck. I would say normality would be that Norris wins. But I guess Max is not normal. So with him, you never know — until the end, there is hope.'
The season finale in Abu Dhabi promises an intense battle, with Verstappen entering the race after back-to-back victories in Las Vegas and Qatar. However, Buemi highlights a potential wildcard: McLaren's strategic error in the penultimate round, which could have significantly impacted the outcome. Despite Red Bull's challenges at the Lusail International Circuit, particularly with soft tyres, Buemi notes that the gap between the two teams was smaller on medium and hard compounds. This leads to an intriguing question: How will McLaren and Red Bull perform against each other on different tyres in Abu Dhabi?
Buemi's prediction? He believes McLaren has shown consistency in recent years, but Verstappen's ability to make a difference cannot be overlooked. 'I think McLaren has shown in the last few years that they were very good there, but Max can always make the difference,' he says. 'So I don’t expect anything really different to Qatar. I think they’re going to be fast. Hopefully the gap will be less than in Qatar, because in my opinion they were a bit faster — mainly on the soft, not really on the medium.'
The stakes are high, as Verstappen aims to match Michael Schumacher's record of five consecutive drivers' championships. Buemi, impressed by Verstappen's skills, believes he is the 'best' and should be the one to win the title. 'In a way, I hope that he wins, because I really have the feeling that he is the best,' he says. 'So I would prefer that the best wins. Obviously, it’s not always the case that the best guy wins, but for sure, if he wins, it’s one of those championships he should not have won. But if he wins, he wins it just because of him.'
As the F1 world awaits the outcome in Abu Dhabi, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. Will Verstappen's relentless pursuit of excellence pay off? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the battle for the championship has reached a thrilling climax, and fans are eager to witness history in the making.
