F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions; free Formula 1 betting tips

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 1pm Sunday

Best bets

Lewis Hamilton podium finish
2pts 11-8 general

Both Aston Martins to finish in the points
1pt 9-2 bet365

Race preview

The big names of F1 in 2022 fittingly line up two by two for the start of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

World champion Max Verstappen secured his seventh pole position of the season on a weekend where Red Bull have looked the class of the field throughout.

The team have vowed to do all they can to help his teammate Sergio Perez, second on the grid, to claim the runners-up spot in the standings.

To do that he must finish ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who starts third.

The pair are tied on points, though they would not be had Verstappen followed instructions to gift Perez a position and two extra points in Brazil last week.

Ferrari had appeared to be struggling in the practices in Abu Dhabi, but looked much more comfortable in locking out the second row of the grid. Leclerc missed out on second spot by just four one-hundredths of a second.

However, that lack of pace in practice will be playing on Ferrari’s minds, as it may be more reflective of their prospects in the race.

Leclerc complained during final practice that his tyres were past their best after just four corners of his hot laps. That will encourage Mercedes, who will be disappointed to be lining up fifth and sixth.

The Silver Arrows stormed to a one-two finish in Brazil last week and while Abu Dhabi is a very different circuit, they looked competitive in practice.

Last week’s race winner George Russell was just 0.003 seconds off Hamilton in final qualifying but the seven-time world champion has had a clear upper hand all weekend.

While the Red Bulls look too fast for Hamilton to extend his record of winning at least one race every year for the last 15 seasons, he will be hoping to make the most of any shortcomings from Ferrari and grab a podium.

It will be an emotional farewell for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title in Abu Dhabi in 2010, but he looked like he meant business in qualifying an impressive ninth.

The German has enjoyed a strong season, with some of his best performances for years coming since he annouced his returement in July.

Vettel’s Aston Martin teammate Lance Stroll starts 14th but the Canadian is one of the best at making up positions on the first-lap and he finished tenth from the same grid slot in Brazil last week.

Back both green cars to pick up points.

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