The curtain will come down on another Formula 1 season this weekend, as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place at the Yas Marina Circuit. While this weekend’s race doesn’t have as much on the line when compared to last season’s controversial championship decider between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, it promises to still be a hugely interesting race in prospect.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Latest Odds
The latest odds for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are already live at BetXchange. Max Verstappen has already wrapped up the title, but the Red Bull driver is favoured at 12/10 to win the race this weekend. Lewis Hamilton is second choice at 5/2, while teammate George Russell available at 7/2. Charles Leclerc is a 10/1 chance, while Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz round off the top six in the betting at 12/1 and 16/1, respectively.
Track Details
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the first day-night race when it was first introduced, and that remains the case to this day. It has been staged at the Yas Marina Circuit since 2021, with drivers completing a total of 58 laps to make up the 306.183km race distance. There are 16 corners on the track, with two DRS zones to assist drivers when it comes to overtaking.
Race Preview
We come into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with very little left to play for, which is a contrast to the race 12 months ago. Red Bull has already won the Constructors’ Championship, while Max Verstappen has successfully defended the title he won in controversial fashion at this very race in 2021. However, eyes will be on Red Bull this weekend, as they look to achieve a 1-2 finish in the Drivers’ Championship for the first time.
Verstappen came in for a huge amount of criticism last weekend, as he failed to give up his spot to Sergio Perez, despite the fact that the drivers were riding just sixth and seventh. The Dutchman said he had his reasons, but few could believe his stance after the dedication that Perez had shown in Verstappen’s two title-winning years.
Ferrari will also be looking to finish second in the Constructors’ standings in Abu Dhabi this weekend, but their chances look slim given the resurgence that we have seen from Mercedes in recent races. Mercedes achieved a first 1-2 finish in two years at the Brazilian Grand Prix, as George Russell claimed a maiden race victory, finishing a second and a half clear of Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton was denied the championship in Abu Dhabi 12 months ago, as Michael Masi made a mistake in the final stages. However, he looks primed to have a bold showing this weekend after finishing on the podium in each of the previous three races. There will also be sad scenes in Abu Dhabi this weekend, as Sebastian Vettel makes his final start in F1, with the four-time world champion calling time on his career at the end of this season.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Prediction
Mercedes look to have a car that looks primed for a bold showing this weekend, and we could see them putting down a marker for the 2023 season in Abu Dhabi. We also could see Hamilton’s banishing some of the ghosts from 12 months ago, as he records a first race win of the season.
