Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies explained the reason why it chose not to back up the McLaren drivers in the Formula 1 title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen started on pole and disappeared into the distance for the early part of the race, leaving the papaya cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to battle it out between themselves.
With third place still enough for Norris to clinch the title, Verstappen deployed his own race, and was quickly out of sight at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The team’s more evident tactic was to try and utilise Yuki Tsunoda – who started on Hard tyres – as a mobile chicane, with Norris falling behind him after his tyre stop.
Norris forced his way through past the Japanese driver and in doing so, made his way back towards the required third place, which he held onto at the finish line to take the title.
With Norris entering the race with a buffer of 12 points, Red Bull was obviously in a sticky situation as to know exactly how to maximise its minimal opportunities to help Verstappen to the title himself.
It had been floated to Verstappen prior to the race that a 2016 Lewis Hamilton-style backing up of the pack was an option, which the Dutchman ruled out.
Speaking after the race, Mekies explained that the team felt it best to use its pace advantage to secure the race victory.
“It was possible to do it. We didn’t feel it was it was the right option for us,” the Frenchman told media including Motorsport Week.
“I mean, we would have given up quite a large advantage by doing so, and yeah, and we didn’t think that playing tactics will give us an edge today for the situations we were in.
“So we chose to stay out to maximise the advantage we had, and to concentrate on winning the race. And as we said we can’t control what’s behind us.
“We did discuss that option, but we stuck to our plan.”
READ MORE – Why Max Verstappen decided against backing up the McLaren drivers in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
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