“All or nothing!” In three words, Toto Wolff outlined the mood before the Formula 1 finale.

It crackles.

After 21 Grand Prix, the ups and downs in his racing team Mercedes and with rival Red Bull, the weekend in Abu Dhabi comes to a decisive duel.

Will Lewis Hamilton become world champion for the eighth time in a Mercedes, the sole record holder?

Or is the challenger Max Verstappen ousting the “King of Motorists” at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday (2:00 pm CET in the FAZ live ticker on Formula 1 and on Sky) from the throne?

Anno Hecker

Responsible editor for sports.

  • Follow I follow

On paper, both have the same chances.

With the same number of points, they climb here into the polished, black “Silver Arrow” in the paddock on Thursday and then into the equally carefully polished Red Bull: 369.5: 369.5.

Just in time for the last act, Formula 1 grandfather Bernie Ecclestone, 91, reported from London with a tip: “In the past few years, people knew,” the former Formula 1 Zampano told the French news agency AFP, “a lot exactly who would win. ”This time the end is open.

Especially the way there.

A few weeks ago, Verstappen was leading with a reasonably comfortable lead. Then Hamilton got more and more into motion with his Mercedes. Win against every bet in Brazil, win in Qatar, win in Saudi Arabia. That makes the chest swell. On Thursday, the seven-time world champion made himself taller than he is. Dressed in purple, he walked lightly into the paddock of the Yas Marina Circuit, with a raised view of things - thanks to the several centimeters thick platform soles of his shoes.

He did not come down on top, but appeared disinterested when Verstappen took his seat next to him in the question and answer session and the recent crash of the two in Saudi Arabia last Sunday was supposed to be the topic again. "I don't waste a thought on this," said Hamilton. Détente policy? In any case, no confrontation course after the direct allegations on Sunday of circling with someone who does not respect the rules. Verstappen did not attack the public tête-à-tête on Thursday either, but kept his line: "I", he explained, "don't think I did anything wrong."

On the eve of the first tangible World Cup title, the 24-year-old still seemed to some extent caught up in his latest impressions in Jeddah.

Once a five second surcharge for leaving the piste in a wheel-to-wheel duel with Hamilton, then another ten seconds for provoking a rear-end collision.

Hours before the performance at half throttle, he had let off steam in a smaller circle: “I don't understand.

What I did shouldn't have deserved a penalty, "said the Dutchman, pointing to the race control and track inspectors:" Others do exactly the same thing, but get nothing.

It's definitely not what it should be, and it's not fair.

Only I get a penalty.

What is going on here is incorrect.

I want to be treated equally. "

The topic is carried to the final

What happened before Hamilton got stuck with the front wing on the rear of Verstappen's car in Jeddah?

The Brit didn’t want to have known that when asked by his team, Verstappen should let him pass again on the other side of the white line.

Then why didn't the champion miss?

Why did he slow down directly behind the noticeably slowing Red Bull?

Because he guessed what the man in front was up to.