Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021Formula 1

[Jimlaad43]

21 races down, one to go. For only the second time in Formula 1 history, the title protagonists enter the final race of the season tied on points (which when you consider they're on 369.5, is absolutely incredible). Max Verstappen leads the championship by dint of his 9 wins compared to Lewis' 8, so assuming that there isn't a double no-score, it's winner takes all! The Yas Marina circuit hosts the finale again, but it's a big unknown this year after finally deciding to redesign the circuit to improve what has been 12 years of almost universally terrible racing. The bad chicanes are gone, replaced with corners that the drivers should be able to follow each other through. The big unknown is the circuit, and who knows which team and driver will come out on top. You must be excited for this one, the first title decider since 2016. Let's hope for a classic for all the right reasons. All eyes are on the ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX!!!

First Grand Prix
2009

Number of Laps
58

Circuit Length
5.281km

Race Distance
306.183 km

Lap Record
N/A​

 

[Roo]

Getting an early prediction in: Verstappen will win the title after contact with Hamilton ends in a non-points result for Lewis. Bottas to win the race. Officials to be on the second season of Peppa Pig.

 

[MatskiMonk]

I don't particularly want him to win, but I've put my money on Hamilton.

 

[PeterJB]

Well, the title permutations here are much simpler than normal:

Verstappen is champion if...

He beats Hamilton

Hamilton finishes outside the points or doesn't finish at all

Hamilton is champion if...

He beats Verstappen AND scores points

This is clearly going Hamilton's way. He has that rocket engine and hasn't had a mechanical retirement in 3.5 years, whereas Verstappen's is now seven races old. Red Bull like slow, tight corners and most of them have been removed and there are also two giant, long straights.

 

[Jimlaad43]

@PeterJB,
To add to your list, Verstappen is also champion if:
Hamilton 9th, Verstappen 10th + Fastest Lap.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Shame there's no chance of rain...

... or Timo Glock.

 

[ThePotatoKing]

Well, whoever wins, this season wiĺ definitely go down in history.

Now whether that will be for all the right or wrong reasons will be determined in this race.

 

[Grayfox]

Normally Yas Marina is a boring track.
This time, it might just be exciting

 

[PaMu1337]

Let's at least hope we don't get the ultimate anticlimax: one of the two tests positive before the race.

My prediction: Verstappen will win the championship, but not the race, after a controversial incident

 

[Dennisch]

Hamilton will fly away for an extremely anticlimactic finish to this season.

 

[Blitz24]

Wait, where is the Vettel option? You mean @Terronium-12 lied to me again?!

 

[XJ40]

I think we are going to get a show of two good drivers carrying the rule book. I'm thinking more Austria 2016 than Dijon '79.

 

[MagpieRacer]

The momentum is with Lewis, the car on paper is with Lewis. History favours Mercedes and Hamilton on this circuit with the exception of last year although suggestions that Hamilton still wasn’t near full fitness after covid will have played a part.

I think Merc will dominate the weekend and we won’t even see a close fight. Merc 1-2 with Verstappen 20 seconds back down the road.

 

[Veinz]

I want to see Honda leave with a championship but the Merc just might be the car to have once again.

 

[Liquid]

Hamilton's form and speed this back-end of the season has been phenomenal.

#Blessed

 

[Fat Tyre]

Also it's extremely unlikely but either or both of them could test positive for Covid-19 and have to sit out for the race. How about that for an anticlimactic end of the season?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

I suspect the long straights and DRS zones will favour the Mercedes, which has a power/drag advantage over the Red Bull currently. If there's no crash, it'll be Hamilton, is my view. But - based on this season - this is a very big 'if'.

I thought that both teams and drivers were extremely tense in Saudi Arabia. The amount of squawking about injustices (real or perceived) on the radio was extreme. Hopefully the team management will be able to dial that back a bit, although I think Christian Horner has been on the verge of tears since about July, so he's going to struggle.

There's no doubt in my mind that Verstappen is incredibly quick. His second Q3 run in Saudi was on course to be a pole lap for the ages until he hit the wall. And I wonder if that's a bit of a metaphor for him as a driver at the minute? He doesn't have that last iota of control which allows him to unlock the speed without the errors. Whereas I think Hamilton has spent the last 6 years inhabiting that space, working on refining the very edges of his talent.

Incidentally, in much of the media that I've seen, people keep saying that Verstappen is impervious to the pressure of the championship campaign. To me, that's a total nonsense. His recent TV interviews have been so staggeringly (and increasingly) arrogant that I'm left wondering whether he's trying to convince himself or us the viewers. He told Martin Brundle that it didn't matter whether he was champion this year because he knew it would come to him sooner or later. To me, it's a definite defence mechanism.

I'm hoping for a Hamilton win. But this has been a spectacular year, and the way that Hamilton and Verstappen have elevated themselves above the rest of the field has been incredible. It's absolutely rekindled my interest in F1

 

[McLaren]

Fully expecting a back-handed compliment from Horner or Marko if Lewis wins. Hoping everyone will be more mature, congratulate the other, and give it a rest til' next season, though.

 

[Jezza819]

Fully expecting a back-handed compliment from Horner or Marko if Lewis wins. Hoping everyone will be more mature, congratulate the other, and give it a rest til' next season, though.

I have a small wish that both Ferrari and Alpine will just nail next years new regulations and the championships will be between them and both Mercedes and Red Bull will be knocked down a peg or two and have to fight over 3rd place. That's probably not realistic but one can dream.

 

[Veinz]

I hope Mercedes and Red Bull are at the back next year, I’m tired of both of them.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm struggling to comprehend a race where there's no contact between Max and Lewis.

Lewis has the better car beneath him, but Max has been willing to push to the very edge and beyond to make or block a pass, and he does have that slight points advantage. I'm calling Max for the championship but Mercedes for the constructors title (for what it's worth to the general public. Which is zero)

 

[McLaren]

I have a small wish that both Ferrari and Alpine will just nail next years new regulations and the championships will be between them and both Mercedes and Red Bull will be knocked down a peg or two and have to fight over 3rd place. That's probably not realistic but one can dream.

How you gonna respond to me & leave my Papaya boys out of that?

 

[PaMu1337]

I have a small wish that both Ferrari and Alpine will just nail next years new regulations and the championships will be between them and both Mercedes and Red Bull will be knocked down a peg or two and have to fight over 3rd place. That's probably not realistic but one can dream.

Screw that, I want a Haas/Williams/Alfa top 3, and Bottas gets his championship.
Might be a bit cruel to Russell though

 

[Jezza819]

How you gonna respond to me & leave my Papaya boys out of that?

Well I didn't want to include any Mercedes or Red Bull powered cars in that scenario for the championship. But the Papaya boys can still be fighting for 3rd.

 

[-Fred-]

Well I didn't want to include any Mercedes or Red Bull powered cars in that scenario for the championship. But the Papaya boys can still be fighting for 3rd.

Ferrari hasn't won a thing in 2 years, let's keep it that way please. Williams and McLaren at the front, like it was in the good old days.

 

[Blitz24]

Screw that, I want a Haas/Williams/Alfa top 3, and Bottas gets his championship.
Might be a bit cruel to Russell though

Haas/Williams/Alfa top 3 with Mazepin DSQ for existing.

FTFY.

 

[AshenGraey]

I'm hoping Lewis will win it again and get his 8th title, just for the simple fact that I'm not liking Red Bull at all this season and Max's antics have left me a bit disappointed If I'm honest. It's unfortunate really because I genuinely enjoy watching him race. The guy's raw talent and speed is something to behold but his stunts are irritating considering he has the skills and the talents to be so much better than that.

As for the next season I'm hoping to see major McLaren resurgence with them actually fighting in a 4 way battle for the championship. I'd be happy with that! 😃

 

[PorscheFan91]

As a Red Bull fan I don’t know if my nerves can actually take watching this as it was bad enough last race! It feels like the Euros final against Italy all over again - although that time I was convinced England would win but now I’m convinced RB will lose. I think that the Baku loss was a big blow looking back - the RB only seemed to outperform the Mercs on certain tracks and that was definitely one of them.

Still, think Max has done phenomenally well to bring the fight to Lewis in an inferior car with a team mate often out of play in terms of providing assistance. Plus, Max is significantly younger than Lewis - makes me wonder what Max will be like in his 30s! It would be so incredible to see RB/Honda taking a win but not getting my hopes up. If Max does win though I want a film called Honda vs Mercedes like the Ford vs Ferrari one about Le Mans.

 

[shoemaker]

Ah man this week is dragging, the suspense is driving me mad. Thers gonna be some drama on sunday !

 

[PorscheFan91]

Ah man this week is dragging, the suspense is driving me mad. Thers gonna be some drama on sunday !

My Dad who can remember the Hunt/Lauda era says this year is just as intense championship battle wise. Agree about the wait being insane Whilst I’m consigned to Lewis winning I just hope we get another really close championship battle next year - preferably with Ferrari and McLaren in the picture as well. Massive Leclerc fan and lament the fact that he hasn’t been given the chance to compete properly.