F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix prediction, free betting tip, where to watch

Free F1 tips, best bets and analysis for the 2020 Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Island circuit on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 1.10pm, Sunday

Best bet

Charles Leclerc top-six finish
1pt 5-1 Betway, Hills

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix preview

Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the season in the last event on the calendar and he looks the right favourite for Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Champion Lewis Hamilton returned from a Covid-19 absence by taking third on the grid and there must be a question over whether the Englishman will be on top form over a race distance.

His Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas starts second, but has won just one race since the season-opener – when Hamilton picked up a penalty in Russia – and has finished 14th, eighth and eighth in his last three races.

Of course that doesn’t tell the whole story but Red Bull are also finishing the season in much better form than their results suggest.

Verstappen was comfortably the fastest driver on the track in the wet in Turkey, but impatience cost him dearly.

In Bahrain last time he took avoiding action when Charles Leclerc and race winner Sergio Perez collided on the first lap and the Red Bull ended up in the wall.

The way the race unfolded, Verstappen would likely have won easily without that.

The Dutchman starts on medium tyres, which give him a theoretical advantage over the Mercedes, who will have to begin on less durable softs.

A Verstappen victory looks the most likely outcome but there are attractive bets at bigger prices.

In an uneventful race, Verstappen and the Mercedes pair would fill the podium, but that has happened only twice in the last nine races and in none of the last four.

Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, whose McLarens perform better in races than qualifying, are of interest in the podium-finish market but the best bet could be Charles Leclerc to finish in the top six.

Leclerc has a three-place grid penalty for causing the opening-lap incident last week, but he can make a forward move from 12th on the grid.

Like Verstappen, Leclerc’s Ferrari starts on medium tyres, which should give him an advantage over most of the top ten.

The Monegasque driver has four top-six finishes in the last six races, including two after starting from a double-figure grid slot.

Not got a bet365 account? Sign up today and get up to £100 in bet credits.

Up to £100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport