Formula 1 thriller

Russell speculates: Does Max still have an ace up his sleeve?

Can Max Verstappen defend his world championship title after all?(Bild: EPA/ALI HAIDER)

The big showdown in Formula 1 is just around the corner. Starting at 2 p.m.(here in the "Sportkrone.at" live ticker), Max Verstappen wants to crown his race to catch up and snatch the world championship title from McLaren after all. However, third place will be enough for Lando Norris even if the Red Bull driver wins. The Dutchman could therefore resort to a special tactic, as Mercedes driver George Russell suspects. 

"If we finish the first lap in the order in which we start the race, then he certainly won't just drive away and give Lando an easy podium finish," Russell is certain. The Mercedes driver will start the race directly behind the three title contenders and could become a major factor for Verstappen (on pole position). 

It could turn into a situation like the big showdown in 2016. Back then, Lewis Hamilton deliberately slowed down the field while leading. This was because his team-mate and rival Nico Rosberg only needed a second place to win the title. With this maneuver, the Briton ensured that his rivals were able to catch up with Rosberg, increasing the chances of someone overtaking the German and helping Hamilton to the title.

Stella tries to calm things down
As is well known, the move was not successful for the Briton at the time - but it was certainly the best tactical option available to Hamilton. And it could be the same for Verstappen today. Instead of pulling away at the front and potentially giving the two McLaren drivers the podium - and thus Lando Norris the world championship title - the Dutchman could also opt for a braking tactic. 

Both Russell and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari could pose a threat to Norris. "You don't have to drive like a madman or be dangerous to do that. You can take three or four tenths off and that pulls the field together. So yes, you can expect him to do that," speculates the Mercedes driver. 

Will George Russell be a decisive factor?(Bild: EPA/ALI HAIDER)

Meanwhile, McLaren remains calm. "If you slow down too much, undercuts can become a problem, you make yourself vulnerable or risk being overtaken," explains Team Principal Andrea Stella. That's why the Italian sees his racing team as having the big advantage here too: "It's definitely good that we're here with two cars. I would always prefer that to the situation where the two of them are somewhere on the track separately."