By Alan Baldwin

ABU DHABI, Dec 4 (Reuters) – Max Verstappen could become only the second driver after Michael Schumacher to win five Formula One titles in a row this weekend but the Red Bull driver was relaxed about it on Thursday.

Neither parent will be in attendance in Abu Dhabi — father Jos rallying in Africa and mother Sophie staying at home with the dogs — largely because he had written off his chances earlier in the season and they had made other plans.

After a home Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort at the end of August, Verstappen was 104 points behind then-leader Oscar Piastri.

He is now four clear of McLaren’s Australian and 12 behind Lando Norris with potentially the greatest comeback in Formula One history only days away from being realised.

“I guess it was not planned,” he sai

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