The final race of the 2024 Formula 1 season is set for this weekend, as the Yas Marina Circuit hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen will have no pressure on his shoulders this weekend, as his fourth successive Drivers’ Championship has already been secured. However, it promises to be a nervy final weekend in the race for the Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren looking to hold off Ferrari.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Information & Records
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been staged annually on the F1 schedule since being introduced in 2009. The field of drivers will complete a total of 58 laps of the 5.281 km Yas Marina Circuit, making up the total race distance of 306.183 km.
Drivers will need to navigate a total of 16 corners, with two DRS Detection Zones available for overtaking. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most wins at the track with five, while Red Bull has been the dominant team with seven wins, which includes victories for Max Verstappen in each of the last four editions.
Latest Odds
Lando Norris will be the BetXchange favourite to win the race this weekend, with the Brit currently priced up at 9/4. Max Verstappen is also available at the same odds.
Charles Leclerc will need to win if Ferrari are to snatch the Constructors’ Championship, and he is priced up at 51/10. George Russell is an 8/1 chance, while Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri, and Lewis Hamilton are available at odds of 9/1, 19/2, and 10/1, respectively.
Race Preview
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive championship in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, and celebrated by winning the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend. The Red Bull looked much more competitive, as it set the pace throughout the weekend at the high-speed circuit. However, the Dutchman has made headlines this week, as tensions between himself and George Russell have intensified following their fallout from qualifying last weekend.
This weekend will be all about the battle for the Constructors’ Championship, with McLaren holding a 21-point lead over Ferrari in their bid to win a first team title since 1998. Ferrari hasn’t won the Constructors’ title since 2008.
Ferrari will likely need a one-two finish this weekend, and hope that at least one of the McLarens fails to score. However, this weekend’s track looks set to suit both cards, meaning it’s likely that all four drivers for the teams score points. But, a Ferrari win would put pressure on McLaren to get over the line, and the straight-line speed of the boys in red could be a narrative worth following this weekend.
One of the biggest stories heading into the weekend is also Lewis Hamilton making his final start for Mercedes ahead of joining Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton has endured a difficult final season with the team, despite winning two races, including his home Grand Prix at Silverstone. But, this weekend presents an opportunity for the team to bid a fitting farewell to a legend of the sport that contributed towards a golden-age of success on track for Mercedes.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Prediction
A competitive final race of the season will conclude an F1 season that has plenty of wrists and turns. The competitive nature on-track means that cases can be made for all drivers in the top four teams, but the preference is for Ferrari to use their straightline speed to their advantage, with Charles Leclerc collecting the win.
