‘Team Max!’ Stefanos Tstisipas joins Red Bull’s paddock to support Max Verstappen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

‘Team Max!’ Stefanos Tstisipas joins Red Bull’s paddock to support Max Verstappen at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Stefanos Tstisipas and Mx Verstappen

The 2021 Formula 1 season has been one of the best in recent times. Since the last 7 years, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have dominated the sport but this year, Red Bull have given it back to them. Ever since the pre season testing, it was projected that Ref Bull and Mercedes will have a tough fight and yes, they have delivered. After 21 races, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will start the race level on points- 369.5 points each.

The stage is set at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi with Max Verstappen starting on pole alongside title rival Lewis Hamilton on the front row. McLaren’s Lando Norris finished P3 while Sergio Perez finished P5 ahead of Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas. To make things worse for Hamilton at the start, all of the other top 5 guys except him will start on soft tyres.

To see such a historic battle, many celebrities have showed up at Abu Dhabi. Greek tennis star and world no. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas too has come to see the race and is alongwith Red Bull to support Max Verstappen in his first ever F1 race.

FS Video

Earlier in a video posted by F1, Tsitsipas revealed that he’s rooting for Max to win the title in Abu Dhabi. “I’m rooting for Max. I hope he clinches the title and makes us all proud,” he said.

Advantage Verstappen over Hamilton?

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen chasing Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes were favorite coming into Abu Dhabi this weekend given the fast flowing nature of the new layout. But Verstappen pulled off a banging lap in Q3 thanks to a slipstream from teammate Sergio Perez to take pole on the opening run itself. Hamilton will start from P2 on mediums and will hope for a great launch into turn 1.

It is assumed that track position will be key in the race but given that many of the frontrunners are starting on softs, the race could very well be a 2-stopper. Hamilton and Verstappen have given the fans their money’s worth every race this season and the fans would be want just that for one last time in Yas Marina too.

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