Pink Bull claimed it “could not have completed extra” to assist Max Verstappen win the F1 title within the last race of the season.
Though Verstappen received the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he sadly missed out on his fifth consecutive F1 title.
Lando Norris completed third on the Yas Marina circuit, which was sufficient to win his first F1 drivers’ title.
Verstappen managed Sunday’s race from pole place, operating forward of Oscar Piastri within the first stint.
Norris returned to visitors after an early pit cease to cowl George Russell’s undercut try.
Nonetheless, Norris managed to weave his manner by means of a still-unstoppable midfield of runners, together with Verstappen’s teammate Hiroki Tsunoda.
With McLaren’s tempo superior to Ferrari and Mercedes, Norris was in no hazard of shedding the required third place.
Forward of the race, it was extensively speculated that Verstappen would intentionally again up the 2 McLarens to provide Charles Leclerc and Russell an opportunity to complete forward of Norris.
After the race, Pink Bull boss Laurent Mequise instructed F1 TV that he believed they have been proper to “look solely at ourselves”.
“It was essentially the most excellent race when it comes to how the crew and Max managed from the beginning. From pole place yesterday, from a troublesome Friday begin to yesterday’s dominant pole place, we nearly led from begin to end and it was excellent tire administration,” he mentioned.
“I do not assume we may have completed something higher. We won’t management what is going on on behind us. We simply have to have a look at ourselves. I do not assume we may have completed something higher as we speak.”
Mekies praises ‘nice comeback’
Even when Verstappen missed out on the title, Pink Bull nonetheless had cause to rejoice.
After the Dutch Grand Prix in August, Verstappen was 104 factors behind Piastri within the rankings.
Verstappen then received six of the ultimate 9 races, ending simply two factors behind Norris.
Mekies took over as crew principal from Christian Horner forward of the Belgian Grand Prix, hinting at adjustments to the crew on monitor.
“I am very happy with the crew. Nice comeback, nice win,” Mekies mentioned.
“Immediately was a clear race and a dominant win. It wasn’t the monitor we anticipated to dominate, however the crew with Max was capable of produce a brilliant quick automotive right here and that is what we have been capable of do. I am very happy with the nice job everybody at Milton Keynes did, not simply in that race however in making a sensational comeback within the second half of the yr.”
“Nicely completed, Lando. It was a troublesome combat, however an awesome combat. I hope it was nice for the followers that this championship remains to be on the finish of the yr, till the final lap of the final race. That is it. I will strive tougher subsequent time.”
