Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying predictions and F1 betting tips

Free Formula 1 tips, best bets and analysis for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday at Yas Marina.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1 & Main Event, 1pm Saturday

Best bet

Max Verstappen fastest qualifier
1pt 2-1 Betfred

Team news

Lewis Hamilton was eased slightly to win Sunday's season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix despite topping the times on the opening day of practice at the re-profiled Yas Marina circuit.

The British driver is locked together with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen on 369.5 points each as one of the sport’s most epic title battles reaches its climax.

Verstappen set the pace in the morning session but could manage only fourth in the afternoon as Hamilton took top spot.

Seven-time champion Hamilton is 8-11 to take his ninth victory of the season for Mercedes, while Verstappen can be backed at 2-1.

Whichever driver finishes higher in Abu Dhabi will be crowned champion, though Verstappen would take the honour if neither scores a point as he has won more races.

However, the combatants have been warned that a points deduction may be considered an appropriate punishment in exceptional circumstances. They have already collided three times this year.

In 1997 Michael Schumacher was disqualified from the season after deliberately crashing into his championship rival Jacques Villeneuve in the last race of that campaign.

Hamilton has set the fastest time in qualifying at four of the last six races, finishing second in the other two, and is a hot favourite to take pole position.

However, he was somewhat fortunate in Saudi Arabia last time. Verstappen was on a considerably quicker lap in the dying moments of the session but slid wide exiting the last corner and damaged his car against the wall.

That was a rare error from the ice-cool Dutchman and Verstappen’s pace in the first hour may indicate that he is prioritising qualifying speed over race pace this weekend.

Overtaking at Yas Marina has historically been virtually impossible, and while the extensive changes to a number of corners should go a long way towards rectifying that, track position could well still be more important than raw pace.

Verstappen knows he is unlikely to be able to catch Hamilton if he falls behind, so starting in front will be his main goal.

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