Formula 1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Race Date: 12th December 2021
Race Preview
The final race of the season is upon us, and the stakes could not be higher as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are locked on the same number of points in the title race, with just one last battle to come. The first ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was packed with incident last week, with crashes, bad blood, and controversy top of the agenda but Hamilton’s win suggests that the momentum is with him, something Max Verstappen and Red Bull will be looking to rectify from the off here. With both men still able to win the championship, it should be a battle for the ages in Abu Dhabi.
Betting Preview
Race Winner
It is the final race of the Formula One season, and it is very much now or never Hamilton, Verstappen, and their respective teams here: –
Once again, Lewis Hamilton called upon all his big race experience to produce a stellar performance in winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend. Three wins on the spin in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brazil have just affirmed his status as one of the all-time great drivers and there is growing momentum on his side as he goes in pursuit of a record 8th F1 World Championship title. Having something on the line in Abu Dhabi has worked for and against Hamilton previously and he will be desperate to get over the line here.
Having seen his healthy lead in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship diminish over the past few weeks, the pressure levels on the Dutchman have become rather intense. Hamilton has had the wood over him in the last three races and with the speed in the Red Bull car not what it was at the start of the season, he looks to be a man hanging on for dear life. There was bad blood between the two drivers in Saudi Arabia and Verstappen will be looking to channel his anger from the outset here. He still has his fate in his own hands and one good drive could see him over the line, as he looks for his maiden F1 Drivers Championship title.
With so much action going on ahead of him and not one inch likely to be given by either driver, Valtteri Bottas will be looking to cash in on any potential mishaps in front of him. He will also be out to put on a real show in his last race for Mercedes before he joins the exciting Alfa Romeo project. Ironically, the Finn has developed a real run of consistency in recent weeks and excellent showings in Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are sure to have the Mercedes hierarchy asking whether they have made the correct decision in letting him go.
Top Six Finish
2021 has thrown up its fair share of thrills and spills this season and there will be plenty of racers fancying their chances of cracking the top 6 in the final race of the campaign in Abu Dhabi this weekend:-
As the defending champion at this race track, Sergio Perez is sure to be a driver to watch in the heat of the battle in Abu Dhabi. Red Bull have had an excellent season and whilst the plaudits will inevitably go the way of Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez has also been in good form throughout the campaign and the Mexican will be out to finish his maiden campaign for the team in impressive style.
Ferrari have generally endured a season to forget, and their talisman Charles Leclerc just hasn’t been able to achieve the level of consistency expected from him. He crashed out dramatically at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend and he will be out to rectify that here and to try and put some season ending points on the board for Ferrari.
It was yet another top 6 finish for Pierre Gasly at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last week and with speed looking set to be king at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and few drivers on the grid are as quick as Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman possesses the tendency to be heavily involved in some of the biggest races on the calendar and with plenty of attention set to be on the race for the title, Gasly could sneak under the radar somewhat this weekend.
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Best Bets:
Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton – 1/2
Top Six Finish: Charles Leclerc – 1/2
