F1 2025 Abu Dhabi GP: Thursday Press Conference Insights

The final Thursday press conference of the 2025 Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi saw championship contenders Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri discuss their mindsets heading into the crucial finale. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull Racing's new driver Isack Hadjar also shared their thoughts on the season, team dynamics, and the looming title fight.

Why it matters:

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the culmination of an intense 2025 season, with a three-way fight for the Drivers' Championship between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. The stakes are incredibly high, and how each driver and team navigate the pressure, strategy, and potential team orders could define their legacy.

The Details:

• Ferrari's Qatar Woes: Charles Leclerc admitted Ferrari's poor performance in Qatar was due to fundamental issues, not just track characteristics. He anticipates Ferrari will return to being the 'third team' in Abu Dhabi and expects McLaren to be 'extremely strong'.
• Leclerc's Season Assessment: Personally satisfied with his 2025 season, Leclerc felt he improved but acknowledged the car's performance wasn't where it needed to be. He hopes for a better 2026, especially after focusing early development on next year's car.
• Isack Hadjar Joins Red Bull Racing: Hadjar expressed excitement about his new Red Bull Racing seat, calling it a reward for hard work and a 'new era' in F1. He discovered the news late, during the Qatar race week, through a conversation with Helmut Marko.
• Teammate Dynamics: Hadjar believes his driving style and mindset share similarities with Max Verstappen, which could be beneficial with new regulations in 2026. He cited Verstappen's 'insatiable hunger' to win as a common trait.
• Mercedes' Constructor Battle: George Russell focused on securing P2 in the Constructors' Championship for Mercedes, regretting their missed opportunity in Qatar. He described 2025 as his 'most competitive' season personally.
• Team Orders Debate: Russell strongly stated that asking a driver in championship contention (like Piastri for Norris) to move aside in the final race is 'not acceptable or reasonable'. He believes both McLaren drivers should be allowed to race freely.
• Driver Guidelines and Abuse: Russell, Hadjar, and Leclerc condemned the online abuse Kimi Antonelli received after Qatar, emphasizing that guidelines should be flexible and that anonymous online critics are 'idiots' who 'know nothing about racing'.
• Championship Predictions: Leclerc, Hadjar, and Russell all predicted Lando Norris to win the World Championship, despite a 12-point lead, highlighting its significance.
• Contenders' Approach: Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri all stated they are approaching the Abu Dhabi finale 'the same as every weekend', trying to minimize external pressure. Verstappen, as a multiple champion, felt he had 'nothing to lose' and was enjoying the 'bonus' of fighting for the title.
• McLaren's Engine Reliability: Both Norris and Piastri expressed no concerns about their Mercedes engines, stating they weren't even aware of their engine change schedules.
• McLaren's Teammate Relationship: Norris and Piastri described their relationship as strong, emphasizing mutual respect and the ability to separate on-track competition from off-track friendship. They confirmed data sharing would be business as usual.

What's next:

The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling conclusion to the season. With Lando Norris leading the Drivers' Championship, the focus will be on whether he can withstand the pressure from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. The race will also test Ferrari's ability to rebound from Qatar and Mercedes' pursuit of P2 in the Constructors' standings. The outcome will not only crown a champion but also set the tone for the 2026 season, particularly for teams like Red Bull Racing with their new driver lineup.