Sebastian Vettel’s emotional reason for wanting Max Verstappen to beat Lewis Hamilton

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel says he would like to see Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the title this season to make sure Michael Schumacher’s record still stands come Sunday evening. Schumacher currently remains the only driver other than Hamilton to win seven world titles in Formula One, but Hamilton would make history with eight if he beats Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.

Sitting alongside Schumacher’s son Mick during Thursday’s FIA press conference in Abu Dhabi, Vettel said: “Michael is my hero. For that reason, I probably don’t want Lewis to win.

“But the truth is that they both had a strong season and they are going into the last race with the opportunity to win the championship because they both deserve it.

“In a way, I’d be happy if Michael’s record still stands, but even if Lewis wins to me Michael is still the greatest.

“Lewis can win one more, two more, three more, five more championships, it doesn’t change anything for me.

“And I get along with Lewis so as I said, the gut says I want Max to win just to keep Michael’s record alive, but my head is quite clean, quite clear in terms of may the better man win.”

The duo have been locking horns all season, tussling over the lead of the Drivers’ Championship across the 21 races.

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But in another remarkable twist, the two championship protagonists enter the final race of the season tied on points for the first time in 47 years.

Hamilton has a hat-trick of wins at the end of the season, after he stormed to victory in a race littered with controversy and penalties for Verstappen as the seven-time world champion eliminated an eight-point lead.

Speaking ahead of the race weekend, former F1 driver Jenson Button backed Hamilton, with the thrilling season finale on Sunday,

When asked by Express Sport who he thought had the “upper hand” heading into the Season Finale in Abu Dhabi, Button initially joked he thought the race may be quite dull, before changing his mind and responding: “No, I think it won’t be boring because every corner, every lap in practice, everything is going to be watched and dissected by everyone, whether you have experience with Formula One or not.

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“It’s the first time I feel that I can say who I think is going to win the championship, and I do think Lewis has the upper hand.

“I think he’s driving really well, to come back the last few races is he’s done a great job. But also the Mercedes is working really well, it’s the strongest time of the season for them, they were on the backfoot but they have upped their game massively since Silverstone.

“I think they have the upper hand, but one lap pace, Max can really pull it out for Red Bull.

“But it’s whether it’s enough, and then you’ve got the long straights, so it’s going to be tricky for him.

“But it’s the first time I’ve actually said who I think will win, and I think it will be Lewis.”

Qualifying for the highly-anticipated title decider gets underway on Saturday at 1pm GMT, with the race the following day at the same time.

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