F1 Abu Dhabi GP live updates – Max Verstappen starts on pole ahead of title rival Lando Norris | Live text

Fun fact! 

If Verstappen becomes champion today, he will join John Surtees (1964), James Hunt (1976) and Sebastian Vettel (2010) as the only drivers to have won the F1 title without leading the standings at any point in the season.

Let’s go back to 2010 shall we? Vettel arrived at the Abu Dhabi finale 15 points behind leader Alonso. A win for the Red Bull driver, while seventh for the Ferrari, having been stuck behind Petrov for much of the contest, gave the German his maiden title. 

So, it is still doable for Verstappen with his 12-point deficit.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing RB6 Renault, Helmut Marko, Consultant, Red Bull, Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, Red Bull Racing, and the Red Bull team celebrate their championship victories

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images