In his column ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1 correspondent Daniel Moxon reflects on the war within the paddock, Zhou Guanyu’s future and Red Bull’s driver plans.
There we were, expecting a nice, quiet end to this long season seeing as Max Verstappen is already champion.
And then George Russell walked into the Mercedes hospitality unit for his media session, a steely expression on his face. Before he even opened his mouth we could see what was about to happen.
To be honest it has been a while since F1 had some real, proper flame war. This year Sergio Perez and Lando Norris had their ‘moment’ it took only days for all of this to be squashed. That both Russell and Verstappen came to Abu Dhabi still wanting to beat each other a week after their quarrel in Qatar, there is a specific problem there.
Regarding their accusations against each other as fun as they were their accusations or complaints presuppose to be ‘he said she said’. Reality of what happened thus as is usual must be between the extremes as reported by the two.
But what we do know for sure is that Russell is no pushover. Toto Wolff interrupted a media session to support his driver but he hardly had to – the Brit was doing the talking for himself. It would not be for certain prior to the weekend whether or not Russell possesses that burning desire which is often required to truly triumph in sport, though one can be absolutely certain now.
And Norris, who was too meek in his approach to his title fight with Verstappen this year, would do well to learn a thing or two from his compatriot.
Fresh from his heroics in Qatar last weekend, Zhou Guanyu might just have been handed an F1 lifeline.
He’s got no chance of starting next season on the grid, even after scoring minnows Sauber’s first and only points of the season. But his chances of joining Cadillac when the General Motors brand joins F1 in 2026 have just rocketed.
That’s because Graeme Lowdon, the former Manor and Virgin Racing boss, has been named as their team principal. What’s he been doing since Manor went bust? Among other things, he’s been a close part of Zhou’s inner circle. China’s first ever F1 racer may have a future in the sport after all.
Lewis Hamilton famously won the 2016 Abu Dhabi race but lost the title to team-mate Nico Rosberg, who promptly retired. It was the first of two titles he has been cruelly denied at Yas Marina.
Inside track.
Yuki Tsunoda may be testing for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi next Tuesday, but Liam Lawson remains in the driving seat for a promotion if Sergio Perez is given the boot.
Fast fact.
The Ferrari World theme park may be next to the Yas Marina track but, in 15 attempts, the Scuderia have never won an F1 race there.