Verstappen has “advantage” in title race, claims rival team boss
Max Verstappen heads into the Abu Dhabi showdown with momentum on his side, according to Stake F1 team principal Jonathan Wheatley.
Speaking after the first practice session, Wheatley made it clear who he thinks has the upper hand in the championship decider.
“They’re relaxed, they’re confident, and I love seeing Max when he’s got the momentum, and he’s got the advantage coming into here, as far as I’m concerned,” he told Sky Sports.
The title fight has come down to the wire with just 16 points separating three drivers.
Lando Norris currently leads Verstappen by 12 points, while Oscar Piastri sits another 12 points behind his Red Bull rival.
Wheatley, who runs the Stake F1 team, didn’t hold back in his admiration for Red Bull’s operational strength while acknowledging McLaren’s capabilities.
“I can imagine being hunted by Max and being hunted by Red Bull. They’re a class operation, but then so are McLaren, and I’m looking forward to seeing this race and how it pans out on Sunday,” he added.
It’s not just Wheatley backing the three-time champion.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has also picked Verstappen as his favorite to clinch the 2025 drivers’ championship.
The New Zealander pointed to Red Bull’s impressive comeback in the second half of the season as a key factor in his prediction.
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