Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying predictions: free F1 betting tips

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

Where to watch

Practice three & qualifying
Sky Sports F1, 10.30am & 2pm Saturday

Race
Sky Sports F1 & Main Event, 1pm Sunday

Best bets

Daniel Ricciardo to win qualifying group three
1pt 7-4 bet365

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying preview

World champion Max Verstappen arrived in Abu Dhabi for the F1 season finale following his scruffiest outing of the year and mired in controversy.

A week ago in Brazil, the Dutchman finished sixth in a race where he clashed with Lewis Hamilton on track, damaging his car in the process and being given a five-second penalty. Later he refused a team order to give up his sixth place to teammate Sergio Perez so Red Bull could secure the top two places in the championship.

A day earlier Verstappen, who has been virtually faultless all season up to that point, also damaged his car in a coming together with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in the sprint race.

But despite those distractions Verstappen was in a class of his own in Friday practice at the Yas Marina Circuit, topping the timesheets by three-tenths of a second ahead of Brazil winner George Russell.

Verstappen had been odds-against to win for the 15th time this season heading into the weekend, but his outright pace as well as his speed during race-simulation runs suggest he's well placed for victory.

Mercedes finally broke their duck for the season last week as Russell and Hamilton finished first and second, but the Abu Dhabi track looks less likely to suit their car.

However, recent upgrades seem to be doing the trick and they will go into qualifying day in promising mood.

That's not the case for Ferrari, who have taken 12 of the season's 21 pole positions, but looked to be off the pace in practice.

It's dangerous to write them off and Sainz is a tempting price at 10-1 having taken pole in the USA three races ago, but they certainly appear on the back foot.

Bet365's qualifying group betting is an interesting market and Daniel Ricciardo could be value to outperform Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll.

The McLaren man, who will not be racing in F1 next year, was firmly in the top ten in both practice sessions and has tended to perform better in qualifying than in races this season.

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