Verstappen gets confidence: 'For me Max is really Super Max'

Lewis Hamilton seems to have a slight advantage to win the world championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite the speed of his Mercedes car Jarno Zaffelli thinks that Max Verstappen also has a real chance to win the world title.

Verstappen and Hamilton have kept each other in balance many times this season. Whereas Verstappen was the better performer in the middle part of the season, Hamilton showed an excellent run in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the end of the year. After the Mexican GP he was still well behind his competitor, but now has the same number of points as the Dutchman.

Hamilton is therefore in excellent form, but according to Zaffelli that does not mean he will win. "In Jeddah he would normally have taken pole position. Not many people expected that beforehand," the circuit designer points in conversation with De Telegraaf Verstappen. "Everything has to be right, but for me Max is really Super Max. I still have that song in my head."

Verstappen still ahead of Hamilton

Should Verstappen and Hamilton both fail to finish the race, the Dutchman is certain of the world title. However, the FIA said before the race that it has the power to deduct points when either driver misbehaves.