Russell: I expect Verstappen to back the pack up

While Russell himself is firmly out of Drivers' Championship contention, he will still be hoping for a good result to cap off yet another strong season for himself at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

The Briton has secured fourth in the Standings for himself, but it is all to play for in the three positions ahead of him. McLaren's Lando Norris leads the Championship just 12 points ahead of Verstappen, who is himself four points ahead of the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri.

In Saturday's Qualifying session, Verstappen clinched pole position over two tenths of a second ahead of Norris, who will start alongside the defending Champion on the front row of the grid. Piastri claimed P3, while Russell did well to finish fourth-fastest despite a big snap of oversteer on the final corner of his last flying lap.

The Mercedes driver won't be contending for a Title this time round, but could still very well influence the outcome of the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by challenging Verstappen and the McLarens directly ahead of him in the race.

Speaking after Qualifying, Russell was keen to stress that the three-way Championship tussle between Norris, Verstappen and Norris won't be of any concern to him as he aims to run his own race.

He said: "My mood is the same as any other race. I know what's on the line for those three but I will treat it like a normal race.

"In normal circumstances we don't have the pace. But, obviously, if Lap 1 finishes in the same order we start in, I can't imagine Max will drive off into the sunset. There could be opportunity," stated Russell.

While he has no favourites for the 2025 Drivers' Title, the Mercedes driver still hopes to score one last podium before the campaign draws to a close.

He continued: "I will treat it like any other race. If there's an opportunity and a gap, if this was race one of the season, I wouldn't aim to do anything reckless, but I won't leave opportunities on the table.

"I want to finish on the podium, finish the season on a high and I won't sleep better or worse no matter who wins the championship tomorrow.

"I will be doing my own thing and go from there. I won't risk more or less. I will go about my business as normal," Russell concluded.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix commences Sunday 7 December at 13:00 GMT (17:00 local time). Who will claim the Drivers' crown?