Three-time race winner Johnny Herbert gives his opinion on how this years championship could come down to another grand finale in Abu Dhabi
Q: Abu Dhabi has been home to some incredible finales, notably the one in 2021 between Max, Lewis, and the Masi controversy. Now, it looks like this year’s championship might come down to the wire again…
JH: Yeah, that is exactly what fans want! A season that goes down to the final race. Abu Dhabi has delivered that a couple of times before, and it's always thrilling. In addition to the drama on track, it’s also just a fantastic venue for fans. It’s been hugely popular for years, especially with Brits. The whole setup is amazing, from the marina and the boats to the drag strip and, of course, the race track. Plus, there’s so much to do around Abu Dhabi as a place, including a quick trip to Dubai which is just down the road.
Q: In the probable showdown between Max and Lando, who would the circuit favour in terms of car and driving style?
JH: Right now, McLaren's consistency stands out. No matter which track they go to, their car just works. And that’s going to be crucial in Abu Dhabi, especially with the variety of corners - long-radius ones, tight corners, and the importance of traction. That’s an area where McLaren is really strong. Their car has been a bit edgy, especially in some of the corners, which is something Max has complained about with Red Bull. An edgy car can be quick, but you need to trust that the back end will grip at the right time. Red Bull seems to be struggling with that right now, but Lando and McLaren still seem to have more to give. That makes the journey to the final race even more exciting, especially for British fans who want to see Lando win his first championship. It would be amazing to see McLaren win again, and Abu Dhabi feels like the perfect place for that final showdown.
Q: Alongside the possibility of a huge final race, what makes the weekend in Abu Dhabi so special?
JH: Every time I fly into Abu Dhabi, I enjoy it. The downtown area has everything you could want, with incredible weather to match. If you’re into golf, you’ve got the course right by the circuit - a links-type course, which is pretty special. Then, there are always big music acts performing, which adds to the whole build-up of the weekend. The facility itself is top-notch. The fan zone at Abu Dhabi is massive, with plenty of space to see all the F1 setups. The whole environment just has a positive feel, and it’s not just for the fans - the drivers love it too. It is just a nice place to be with the great hotels and a huge variety of food options. There’s something for every generation. You’ve got Ferrari World, which is perfect for drawing younger fans into the F1 world. And, I definitely recommend the F1 car ride there - it goes from 0 to 60 in about two seconds. It’s like being on the track!
Q: And this year, with everything on the line, it feels like an even bigger deal.
JH: Definitely. Abu Dhabi is a brilliant track to drive. I’ve driven it myself in a couple of different cars, including two-seater Formula 1 cars. It’s really enjoyable and gives you a great sense of speed and challenge. But it can be frustrating during the race because some corners are tough to overtake on. Still, overtaking is possible, and that’s what makes it exciting. When it’s a battle for a championship, you don’t want drivers just zooming past each other with DRS. You want to see them really work for it, and Abu Dhabi is a track where they have to. Whoever wins the championship there will have earned it, and Max and Lando will need to bring their best.
