McLaren chief warns of George Russell and Charles Leclerc threat in Abu Dhabi title decider

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has not ruled out the threat of Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are set to start the race at the Yas Marina Circuit from second and third on the grid, respectively, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on pole position. 

While it was a positive session for the Woking outfit, Stella admitted that Russell and Leclerc could still pose a threat to Norris and Piastri during the race as they start from fourth and fifth, respectively.

“So, there is no difference in terms of rear wing setting,” Stella told Sky Sports F1 after qualifying when asked if Norris and Piastri had different rear wing set-ups. 

“They are on the same configuration, so any speed difference that we see will be due to slipstream to the car ahead. So, we have definitely seen enough that the cars deliver perfectly from a downforce drag point of view.
 
“So, that’s all good. Russell, Leclerc, definitely we are not alone. It’s going to be a complex race, but one in which we have to do the best job possible and deliver and let Lando and Oscar have their options, possibilities for the championship.”

The drivers’ championship fight hangs on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Norris heads into the race in the lead with 12 points over polesitter Verstappen. Norris’s team-mate Piastri trails Verstappen in third by four points. 

Norris just needs to bring home a podium finish to clinch his first championship title. 

Former Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg shared his respect for Norris in his post-qualifying analysis.

“The thriller remains open,” he told Sky Sports F1. “I would like to give my respect to Lando Norris. The whole qualifying, things were not going his way, somehow the whole thing was a struggle, but when it mattered at the end, he pulled out a beautiful lap to put himself on the front row.

“The pressure would have been insane at that last moment, especially when you feel things are not going perfectly, even a Russell can threaten you.

“He did an amazing job, Lando, in the end. A perfect job.”

Photos from Abu Dhabi GP – Practice & Qualifying

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