Title permutations and team tactics

From a Drivers’ Championship to be won to Constructors’ standings still to be finalised, and from fast drivers out of position to others potentially slowing down the pack here are five things to keep an eye out for when the title decider gets underway at the Yas Marina Circuit…

1. The title permutations

Max Verstappen has done all he needs to do so far this weekend by putting his Red Bull on pole position, beating the two McLaren drivers by just over 0.2s. Both of Verstappen’s laps were good enough for pole – but the points are paid out on Sunday.

As it stands, Lando Norris – starting second – is in the position he needs, with the championship leader guaranteed to become World Champion if he finishes on the podium, regardless of what his two rivals do. But Norris is sandwiched between them, with a Verstappen victory good enough to give the Dutchman his fifth title in a row if Norris is fourth or lower.