Davidson impressed with Verstappen: 'Most people would have bottled it'

The title fight has gone either way this season. Red Bull had a strong start to the season, but Mercedes now seem to have a stronger car in the closing stages. Anthony Davidson and Paul Di Resta discuss the development. According to them, Abu Dhabi is now more in Mercedes' favour.

It's been a few months since Verstappen won at Zandvoort on his home circuit, but Davidson is still impressed with the Dutchman. "The race that impressed me the most was his home race. The pressure...most people would have [bottled it] I think. With that sea of orange around the track, he had to turn up and deliver. He didn't just deliver, he did it in such a calm way that he went around his business, got the win and drove impeccably. That is where I saw an impressive side of Verstappen", the analyst told Sky Sports.

"Lewis is fully pumped up for this as well. He's leaving no stone unturned in this quest to win a historic 8th world title. To go down in history big time for his achievements on top of what he has already achieved in Formula 1. He is such a competitive beast, he won't let this go."

Mercedes has overtaken Red Bull

"I think Lewis has thrown the odd mind games into the media. He's had a twinkle in his eye, not necessarily directly but making a point. This championship is in Lewis' hands. If he wins both races, it's done. He's just got to focus on two more race wins which is a hard thing to do in the space of seven days", Paul Di Resta adds. Verstappen needs to win one more race to become world champion.

"The car was sublime in Mexico, Red Bull clearly had the best car. There's been no development, it's just about whose car gets into the right window. We saw in Brazil, Mercedes came alive, in Mexico, it was Red Bull. Who is it going to be here? Red Bull hit the ground running at the start of the season and it was up to Mercedes to catch up, they've done that. I fully expect it to be a close battle here. Abu Dhabi has changed. They've taken out slow-speed fiddly corners which I felt Mercedes struggled on. It's those tiny details that might just swing this championship", Davidson ends.