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F1 Championship winner predictions, betting tips & odds: Abu Dhabi decider

Hamilton 8-15 to win season-finale and snatch title from Verstappen

Max Verstappen (L) and Lewis Hamilton collide in Saudi Arabia
Max Verstappen (L) and Lewis Hamilton collide in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Lars Baron

Where to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Practice One
Sky Sports F1, 9.30am Friday

Practice Two
Sky Sports F1, 1pm Friday

Practice Three
Sky Sports F1, 10am Saturday

Qualifying
Sky Sports Main Event & F1, 1pm Saturday

Race
Sky Sports Main Event & F1, 1pm Sunday

Preview

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s classic Formula One world championship slugfest will go right to the final race of the season and the Brit is favourite to come out on top.

The two drivers are level on 369.5 points at the top of the standings after Hamilton’s third win on the spin at a chaotic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton's Mercedes has proved quicker than Red Bull in the second half of the season and he is a general 4-9 chance to secure a record eighth title having been as big as 3-1 just three races ago, while Verstappen is priced at 7-4.

However, it could have been a very different story if the pair’s third collision of the season had inflicted major damage to either car in Jeddah.

Hamilton drove into the back of Verstappen on lap 37 when the Red Bull driver slowed to let his rival past after orders to do so from race officials following an earlier incident, only to catch Hamilton unaware. Despite damaging his front wing, Hamilton recovered to take the chequered flag, while also nabbing the extra point for the fastest lap.

Verstappen was able to hold on for second despite tyre issues late on in the race, while he was also handed a combined 15 seconds of time penalties for two incidents during an action-packed night which featured two red flags, three starts and several more collisions.

The stage is now set for a winner-take-all showdown in Sunday’s season finale in Abu Dhabi with Verstappen still in possession of first place in the championship courtesy of having won more races than Hamilton.

It means the Dutchman will clinch his maiden drivers’ title if both he and Hamilton fail to finish the race - Betfair and bet365 go 5-1 that Verstappen is not classified, while Hamilton is an 11-2 chance.

Hamilton is favourite to come out on top in Abu Dhabi at a best-priced 8-15 having won five times previously at the Yas Marina Circuit. Verstappen convincingly won the race in 2020 and is 2-1 to record back-to-back victories at the venue.


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