McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies pledged to make the title-deciding Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a “clean fight” between its three cars involved.
Lando Norris leads the standings by 12 points from Max Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri a further four behind in third, with all three able to take the crown at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The stage is set for a thrilling end to a dramatic season, with what had been a largley McLaren-dominated campaign latterly thwarted by the resurgence of Verstappen and Red Bull.
It has ensured the Dutchman’s interest in the title remains, something that was considered unlikely prior to and after the summer break, with Piastri being 34 points ahead after Zandvoort.
But both men, speaking to media including Motorsport Week ahead of the climax, said that he predicted the trio to keep things above board once on the track.
“We’re going to race cleanly,” said Brown. “Obviously, strategy comes into play, but I like everyone on the Formula 1 grid, and I think we’re here to race hard, race clean.
“So that’s exactly [how] I expect the race will play out.
“We all have multiple cars, etc, so you’ll be smart and strategic, but I think it’ll be a very healthy battle to the finish.”
Mekies credits ‘quite refreshing’ attitude to F1 title fight between McLaren and Red Bull
It has personally been a remarkable year for Mekies, who started out as Team Principal of Racing Bulls, but switched to the Milton Keynes-based squad upon the dramatic removal of Christian Horner.
In that time, the Frenchman, formerly a technical guru with both Ferrari and the FIA, has helped oversee a remarkable rejuvenation of the team and its much-maligned RB21.
It has enabled Verstappen to take five wins in the last nine races – with the other four being podium finishes – to ensure the title fight goes on to the bitter end.
Mekies added to Brown’s sentiments, saying that it was “quite refreshing to see that we’re not even discussing whether we are going to race cleanly or not,” adding that “it’s a given that the guys out there will race cleanly.”
The formbook based on the first free practice sessions indicates that McLaren and Norris are in the driving seat, with the Brit topping both FP1 and FP2, the latter by three tenths from Verstappen.
READ MORE – Max Verstappen sceptical of Red Bull pace at F1 Abu Dhabi GP
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