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Christian Horner

and

appeared yesterday at Yas Marina to clarify some pending issues. "It would be totally false to sit here and tell you how much we love each other, because everyone knows that on Monday I'm not going to go with you on vacation," said the Red Bull boss, shortly after shaking hands with his Mercedes counterpart. . Among them, the FIA ​​had placed the Constructors' World Cup trophy, which for the eighth year in a row seems highly favored for the German team. Going back 28 points seems almost a chimera for Red Bull, which will focus its efforts on making

champion

. A few simple accounts will solve the race of the century, which can decide the eighth title of

.

On the other hand, however, other factors are hidden.

The closest battle

As soon as he got out of the car, after leading the second free practice session, Hamilton had an impact on the same forecast of recent weeks.

"We still have a lot to know about the rhythm in the long runs, but I'm sure it will be super close, as has been happening in recent races," said the seven-time champion, much more used to these struggles.

Not surprisingly, Sir Lewis has taken part in two of the tightest resolutions in history.

In 2007 he lost the title to

by one point (97-98), although only a year later he was able to savor the rematch against Ferrari and

(110-109).

Only what happened in 1984 between

and

overshadows what awaits in Yas Marina.

That unforgettable battle of Estoril, when he crossed the finish line behind

, was worth the third and last title for the Austrian (72-71.5).

Masi's notice

To become champion, Verstappen needs to finish the race ahead of Hamilton, whether in the top-10 or out of it. And it is that the tiebreaker criteria favor the Dutch, who would also raise his first crown if he signs the fastest lap and finishes tenth, just behind Hamilton. By contrast, the Briton will surpass

stratospheric record

if he crosses the checkered flag ahead of his opponent, provided they both finish in the points zone. The last carom for the Stevenage driver would be to finish 10th or better if

doesn't score.

However, the recent controversies in Interlagos and Jeddah, where Verstappen showed unusual aggressiveness at the wheel, have raised suspicions.

And is that in the

no one rules out a hitch that would completely clear the way to

.

To heal himself,

race director

stressed in his pre-race notes that he will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior.

In other words, it deliberately violates article 12.2.1 of the FIA ​​International Code.

Advertising for Netflix

The dramatization of the staging, therefore, must be up to par.

At least on Horner's part.

"We have crossed the limits, we have pushed each other and we have reached this far. This is the moment of truth, something like

," stressed the

Red Bull

.

If the success of the Korean series, with 111 million followers spread all over the planet, can be exported to F1, the business will be round for Netflix.

Wolff and Horner, during Friday's press conference at Yas Marina.REUTERS

It must be remembered that the television platform has been producing

four years

, the documentary that tries to unravel the best kept secrets of F1.

Even taking into account their uneven results, it seems clear that any material

in the Yas Marina

will contain high-voltage scenes.

The Sky News stumble

Late on Friday,

advanced the news through a Red Bull spokesperson.

"We are extremely disappointed that they have used those images, where someone ends up in a hospital. It is in very bad taste and we hope they will remove them soon," the Dutch newspaper reported.

team

was not going to allow the Sky News Christmas ad.

And he was not going to do it because British television had taken off the hook with a Christmas ad congratulating the holidays to the rhythm of Verstappen's accident at Silverstone.

Not to mention, the title contender, pushed to the gravel by Hamilton, suffered a 51G hit against the protections and had to spend several hours in hospital.

Puncture panic

Just three weeks ago,

,

,

and

suffered punctures of varying degrees during the Qatar GP, where

and

reached the finish line on nearly collapsed tires. Pirelli, the sole supplier of the World Championship, announced an investigation to clarify the problem, although always pointing to the extreme hardness of the curbs. As is usually the norm, all the noise from Losail dissolved as the days progressed.

Until on Friday, on the renovated Yas Marina circuit,

raised the alarm again.

"The pianos are worrisome," warned the Pirelli strongman, especially concerned about what was happening in Turns 5 and 9. "They are tall and sharp, so we are in contact with the FIA ​​to avoid any unforeseen events," added the Italian. .

In this F1, where the engines stand out for their great reliability, a blowout of the tires can be decisive for the fate of the championship.

Verstappen, at the wheel of the RB16B at Yas Marina.AFP

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Know more

• sports

• Formula 1

• Max verstappen

• Lewis hamilton

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