Martin Brundle concerned by Lando Norris’ hand movements in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix cockpit

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Martin Brundle has voiced his concerns over Lando Norris’ driving style during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after Max Verstappen secured pole for the final race of the season.

The title showdown in Abu Dhabi is set up to be a thrilling deciding race to the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.

Max Verstappen will be starting from pole position, with the championship-leading Lando Norris starting alongside him in second and Oscar Piastri in third.

The British driver was brilliantly consistent in the three free practice sessions that preceded the shootout on Saturday afternoon, but the single-lap pace of the Red Bull star proved to be too superior for him to beat.

So far, Norris is playing into the prophecy set by Mathias Lauda. The son of the late and great Niki Lauda voiced his opinion that the championship leader should just focus on finishing within the top-three positions rather than gunning for the race lead.

• READ MORE: Nico Rosberg has heard ‘some voices’ suggesting McLaren want Lando Norris to win the F1 title

Martin Brundle shares his concerns over Lando Norris’ driving style during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying

During Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the final qualifying session of the season in Abu Dhabi, Martin Brundle highlighted how Norris had seemingly changed his driving style between the final free practice session and qualifying.

The former F1 driver turned pundit said, “He’s not had that lovely, fluid driving style that we’ve seen in the free practices, Lando.

“There’s something a bit edgy and a bit tight about the way Lando’s driving. He needs to calm those hands down for his final attempt.”

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Norris set the second fastest time of the session on Saturday morning, and topped both of Friday’s timing sheets as well, which indicated that the McLaren star had arrived at the Yas Marina circuit with some sort of ace up his sleeve.

However, he was unable to replicate the pace once the meaningful sessions began, which does indicate a shift in the confidence that Norris is currently feeling at the wheel of the MCL39.

• READ MORE: Martin Brundle laughs at Oscar Piastri’s ‘nonsense’ title race statement at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Three contenders. One crown. Who takes it?

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Lando Norris just needs to keep his nose clean in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to secure the title

Starting alongside his title rival in Sunday’s Grand Prix, it is absolutely crucial for Norris to keep his nose clean during the melee at the opening corner of the race.

Both Piastri and Verstappen are in need of winning the race in order for their championship hopes to remain alive, leaving Norris with the most amount of breathing room out of them all.

He dominated the weekend last year, securing pole position and a Grand Prix victory in 2024, and needs to pull out that kind of form again this year.

Losing the title at the final hurdle like this will be the sorest possible outcome for the 25-year-old, especially when it isn’t guaranteed that he will be fighting for a title again next season.