Carlos Sainz urges Verstappen and Hamilton to 'have a clean fight, be honest with each other'

So, it all comes down to this: one last roll of the dice to see if Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton is crowned 2021 drivers’ champion, if Mercedes can hold off Red Bull for their eighth constructors’ crown. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton go to Abu Dhabi level on points, the first time that has happened for two title protagonists since 1974. Now traditionally, you’d say the dice were loaded in Mercedes’ favour, with the team having taken every pole and win at Yas Marina between 2014 and 2019.

In the eyes of Carlos Sainz, the most important thing ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is that the Red Bull and Mercedes drivers race fairly and honestly at the Yas Marina circuit. However, out of nowhere, last season the Red Bull Dutch driver took a shock pole position – his first of the season – ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen will be hoping that bodes well for this weekend, given the fact that he has now failed to go fastest in qualifying since the United States Grand Prix, albeit that he was on course for a dominant pole in Saudi before stuffing it into the Turn 27 exit wall.

If both drivers fail to finish the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen will be champion by dint of more victories, while a Valtteri Bottas, a Sergio Perez, or anyone else winning at this juncture would be a shock, such has been Verstappen and Hamilton’s race day operating level recently – and with team orders a potentially crucial factor in the outcome of this year’s championship.

For Scuderia Ferrari the focus will be on securing third place in the 2021 Formula 1 Constructor Standings and also the fight for P5 in the drivers’ standings – basically the best of the rest behind the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers.

Charles Leclerc leads that on 158 points, with Lando Norris on 154 and his Maranello teammate Carlos Sainz on 149.5. Lando Norris is currently on a four-race run of finishing either P9 or P10, which won’t help his chances if that continues, while Charles Leclerc has now outscored the Briton at every race since Turkey – which bodes well for the Monegasque. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, extended his race points-scoring streak to 14 races last time out in Jeddah, the best record of any driver on the grid.

Regarding the fight for the title between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz said:

“In my view, I think it’s going to be a great fight again, a very close fight. I just hope both drivers have a clean fight, be honest with each other and we can all enjoy a spectacular end of season in Formula 1.” – the Ferrari driver concluded.