Max ridicules Norris as McLaren restricts media access.

      Tension surrounded the championship in Abu Dhabi on Thursday as McLaren discreetly limited both drivers from engaging in any non-essential media activities, a decision perceived by many as an effort to protect Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from a paddock filled with growing conspiracies.

      When Norris was questioned in the official FIA press conference about whether losing the title on Sunday would impact his life, he firmly stated it would not. However, Max Verstappen couldn't resist making a quip when he later met with the Dutch media. "It’s always better than not winning," he jested, and then more pointedly remarked, "If you’re at home in twenty years, you’ll still have that trophy on your shelf. That’s still better than not having the trophy."

      The differences in demeanor were stark—Norris appeared anxious, while Piastri showed irritation when asked about potential team orders, saying, "I’ll wait to see what’s expected of me," in contrast to Verstappen who exuded a sense of freedom and lack of pressure.

      This scenario highlights ongoing discussions suggesting that McLaren's efforts to maintain equal standing among its drivers may have backfired. Norris acknowledged this when he was recently asked why he expects boos if he clinches the championship, attributing it to McLaren’s attempt to "control" the situation. "It’s not what people want. People want chaos," he stated.

      Ralf Schumacher expressed to Sky Deutschland his suspicion that McLaren's recent strategic failures—seen in races in Vegas and Qatar—could affect their performance in Abu Dhabi. "I can’t shake the feeling that the McLarens are getting in each other’s way and Max will become world champion. I don’t know why," he remarked.

      Schumacher even alluded to a troubling scenario: "If McLaren doesn’t manage to finally issue clear team orders in the last race, preferably after qualifying, then I’m almost afraid that the two cars will somehow collide on the track and Max will still become world champion because both McLarens will retire."

      Earlier, Zak Brown indicated he would prefer Verstappen to win the title rather than a McLaren driver winning it under claims of favoritism. Former driver Christian Danner found this perspective absurd. "It can’t be that you rebuild the team for years, finally have a car that works, two drivers that are really good, and then you say ’Well, we’re not going to be drivers’ champion,’" he asserted to motorsport-magazin.com.

      Danner believes that when it truly matters, McLaren will implement team orders. "If there is a situation where one of the two becoming world champion or neither hinges on it, then I trust there’s a special clause in the Papaya Rules," he stated. He also suggested that McLaren’s notorious pit mistake in Qatar may not have been entirely unintentional. "Those two points make a relatively big difference," he argued. "Before that, theoretically, a third place was not enough for Norris if Max wins in Abu Dhabi."

      However, Danner dismissed any notion of sabotage similar to the Prost-Senna or Schumacher-Villeneuve incidents. "There will be no nasty tricks. Those times are over."

      Carlos Sainz, a friend of Norris, believes that the Briton’s 12-point lead and history at Yas Marina make him the logical favorite. "I think it’s a Lando circuit," the Spaniard remarked. “Arriving here with a McLaren could help him close out the championship.”

      Yet, Nico Hulkenberg cautioned against underestimating Verstappen. "Max is on such a good run, he hasn’t made a single mistake—pressure isn’t a problem for him. And he has nothing to lose, he can only gain," he warned. The Sauber driver added with a grin that he would be watching the finale on the trackside megascreens.