Lando Norris ‘a bit nervous’ at start after F1 championship contenders Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Lando Norris worry about start directly behind title candidate Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to decide the championship.

Norris made it through an impressive third lap for Sunday’s race, with Verstappen and Hamilton occupying the top two spots.

There are concerns about the championship ending in a collision between the pair, with three previous incidents between them this season.

Norris doesn’t want to inadvertently influence how the title decider plays out at the start of the race.

“I’m a bit nervous, because I want to stay in my position and just watch everything unfold for the first few laps, or even the race,” said Norris.

“I also don’t want to get involved too much because it could cause a lot of controversy. So I don’t know. I don’t know whether to move or not to move … you tell me. But I will try. I do my best and if given the opportunity, I will try.”

Norris’ impressive lap saw him qualify ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton’s teammates – Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, respectively – as well as former Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz on Thursday.

With Verstappen and Hamilton tied on points, the driver who finishes first before the other wins the title in most situations, although Verstappen wins if Hamilton is 9th and Verstappen is 10th but gets points for the fastest lap. Verstappen won the title in the event of a draw because he has won one race more than Hamilton this season.