Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice one predictions and F1 betting tips

Free Formula 1 tips, best bets and analysis for the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice one at Yas Marina.

Where to watch

Practice one Sky Sports F1, 9.30am, Friday

Practice two Sky Sports F1, 1pm, Friday

Best bet

Max Verstappen fastest in practice one
2pts 7-4 general

Preview

Formula 1's longest ever season has also arguably been its greatest, and fittingly championship contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton arrive for the deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tied on points.

The Yas Marina circuit has a reputation for producing dull racing but after significant reprofiling of several corners and following last week's shenanigans in Saudi Arabia, this year's edition is likely to be anything but boring.

Hamilton has won three races on the trot, erasing Verstappen's advantage, but although the pair are deadlocked on 369.5 points each, the Dutchman has the edge by virtue of having won more races.

Verstappen's Red Bull has lacked the performance of Hamilton's Mercedes in the last few events and the seven-time world champion is a warm favourite for victory on Sunday.

But the pair have gone wheel-to-wheel in 11 of the season's 21 races and collided three times, including last week on the streets of Jeddah.

Although Verstappen is on the back foot the fiery challenger has shown he won't go down without a fight.

It's an established fact that Mercedes engines lose more performance as they age than the Hondas that have powered Red Bull's championship charge, so don't expect Hamilton and his teammate Valtteri Bottas's motors to be fully cranked in practice.

Verstappen was fastest by four-tenths of a second in the first session in Qatar, and held a huge early advantage in Saudi Arabia before Hamilton eclipsed his time with a late lap on the brand new circuit.

It should be close again at the new-look Yas Marina, and Verstappen is the pick at the prices.

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