Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
12th December 2021
Football – United Arab Emirates – Dubai Grand Prix
Pick Hamilton to win
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 1/2 odds taken 18:59 GMT December 8th, 2021
Here comes the more-likely-than-not dramatic conclusion to what has been an astonishing F1 season.
Title rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are level on points in the Drivers’ Championship race.
It’s a straight duel between them at the Yas Marina this weekend for this season’s crown.
With such a heated season of rivalry having gone by already, will this title-decider end in controversy?
Table of Contents
Lewis Hamilton Preview – Can Hamilton finish the job?
There has been some late-season revival for Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 F1 Drivers’ Championship campaign.
Victories in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have seen the Mercedes drive pull level with Max Verstappen in the points table.
It was a bonus point for earning the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia last weekend that actually tied things up.
Hamilton is the 1/2 odds-on favourite in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner odds* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
So there is the current momentum that Hamilton has in his favour, having produced much more straight-line speed recently.
Another key factor could be his record at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton is a five-time winner of this particular race and Mercedes has won six of the last seven editions.
Another big factor that has helped Hamilton get right back in the race has been improved qualification efforts.
He has taken pole in the last two races.
Hamilton to finish in style with the Fastest Qualification, Fastest Lap and Win Race is a quote of 7/2 in F1 betting odds* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
Last weekend there were yet more instances of Hamilton and Verstappen coming together.
Verstappen’s slight advantage
If both drivers fail to finish on the weekend, then the title goes to Verstappen on the countback of season victories.
That does leave Hamilton in a quandary.
Can he afford to go wheel to wheel with the Dutchman and risk a crash?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have shared the top two spots in each of the last five Grands Prix.
It has been that way in 12 of the 22 races of the season. There’s not likely going to be much splitting them.
Max Verstappen Preview – Can Verstappen hold his nerve?
There has arguably been some rash driving from Max Verstappen over the last few races.
That is nothing new, as he is such an aggressive driver and doesn’t give up ground when under challenges at corners.
He served a total of 15 seconds in penalties last weekend in Saudi Arabia and was told to give up the lead.
In the race outright winner market the win for Max Verstappen is at a quote of 15/8* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
This is one situation where he needs to hold his nerve.
He basically needs an ice-cool drive. He does have the pace to duel with Hamilton.
To be fair, Verstappen has taken some fantastic opportunities this season in his Red Bull with overtaking manoeuvres.
To get his maiden F1 Drivers Championship title, he is probably going to face a huge test under immense pressure on the weekend.
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Max Verstappen won last year’s race on the streets of the Yas Marina, his first success in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
It has been a massive season by the Dutchman.
Wins in the USA and Mexico, Verstappen’s 8th and 9th victories of the season, set him up for a comfortable title run in.
It has been anything but.
Everything changed in Brazil when Hamilton turned the tables on him.
Could qualification decide the title?
The battle for qualification is going to be hot at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021.
That’s because on the street circuit there aren’t going to be too many passing opportunities.
Verstappen has been on pole in just one of the last seven races of the season.
He is a quote of 2/1 to start from the front of the grid on the weekend* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Betting Advice
In a straight race with no drama, no car troubles then you would expect Hamilton to get over the line first.
He has all the experience in the world of pressure situations like this as he goes for his eighth F1 Drivers’ title.
The Hamilton to win outright is probably worth a nibble at 1/2* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
Are we likely to see a drama-free race though?
The clashes between Hamilton and Verstappen this season have been extreme, to say the least.
Key Facts – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Betting Tip
- Lewis Hamilton is a five-time winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Lewis Hamilton has won the last three 2021 Grands Prix
- Max Verstappen will win the title if both he and Hamilton fail to finish
Verstappen as he always does drives on the limit and will never back down.
So there is that lingering factor that if both fail to finish, Verstappen wins his maiden crown.
They have had three crashes this season.
It’s a winner takes all scenario. Hamilton has the track history behind him. Verstappen is the reigning champion in the UAE.
What a finish there is coming up. Backing either Hamilton or Verstappen to NOT finish the race can be taken at a 4/1 quote* (odds recorded 19:01 GMT on December 8th 2021 at William Hill).
The best betting odds for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton to win: 8/13 at Bet365
Max Verstappen to win: 15/8 at Bet365
Valtteri Bottas to win: 14/1 at Bet365
28/1 bar at Bet365
