'On merit' Red Bull win provides optimism of closer F1 2021 fight - Ross Brawn

F1 Managing Director Ross Brawn says he is hopeful Max Verstappen's dominant victory for Red BulL Racing in the 2020 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale is a sure sign the team can take this momentum right through the winter and into next year.

In a year that has seen Verstappen act as a familiar bridge to the dominant Mercedes' out front and the chasing pack behind, the Dutchman emerged as the clear force around the Yas Marina Circuit with pole position and a ninth career F1 win.

A second victory of the year to go with his 70th Anniversary Grand Prix win at Silverstone - not to mention an 11th podium in 17 races - the result is a vindicating boost for the team that has not only battled the mighty Mercedes W11 but at times its own tempestuous RB16-Honda.

However, with Mercedes off-key in Abu Dhabi and Verstappen on top form, Brawn believes the timely result 'on merit' will inspire Red Bull into closing the margin to Mercedes out front 

"It was great to see Red Bull and Max Verstappen win on merit and the result can give us some optimism that there will be more great battles at the front next year, especially as the cars aren’t changing that much," he wrote in his post-race column.

"This weekend in Abu Dhabi proved that Formula 1 is all about fine margins. This time, Mercedes were off a little bit – and Red Bull executed their weekend brilliantly.

"What is encouraging is if you think back to the beginning of the year, Mercedes had a big advantage but over the course of the season, Red Bull have been chipping away at that. The RB16 didn’t work but they got it sorted."