2021 Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2021 Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.jpg

Who will win the 2021 World Championship?

  • Max Verstappen

    Votes: 1,428 62.8%

  • Lewis Hamilton

    Votes: 845 37.2%
  • Total voters
    2,273
  • Poll closed .
Formula 1 enters the season finale of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the driver’s championship leaders tied on points.

After a roller coaster ride of a season in F1, the final event of 2021 will be held in Abu Dhabi and will decide the championship battle between Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers are even on points entering the race.

Verstappen has won more races this year than Hamilton, so if the two end up finishing even after this race due to neither scoring points, the championship would go to Verstappen. Momentum seems to be with Hamilton after back-to-back-to-back race wins in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, though points momentum has never lasted long this season.

The Yas Marina circuit is a location where both drivers have won in the past, with Hamilton having won numerous times at the track, and Verstappen being the most recent winner. The layout has been altered for 2021 to encourage more overtaking.

Looking away from the feature act of this race weekend, the constructor’s battle between Mercedes and Red Bull seems to be all but decided, with Mercedes holding a 28-point advantage. With Hamilton and Verstappen cancelling each other out on points, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been involved in a lower profile battle than their teammates, but one full of surprises just the same.

This will also be the last time we see certain drivers in F1, or the last time we see them with their current teams. Perhaps the biggest departure is Kimi Räikkönen, who will retire from driving after Abu Dhabi. Kimi’s teammate, Antonio Giovinazzi, will also vacate his F1 seat after this season and will race in Formula E next year instead. One of the Alfa Romeo team seats will be filled by Bottas, who will finish this year third in the driver’s standings. His current seat at Mercedes will be filled by George Russell.

This looks to be an exciting finish to a season filled with drama and shocking moments. Let’s hope that we see the best from each of the championship contenders this weekend.

Qualification Results​

1Max VERSTAPPENRed Bull1:22.109
2Lewis HAMILTONMercedes1:22.480
3Lando NORRISMcLaren1:22.931
4Sergio PÉREZRed Bull1:22.947
5Carlos SAINZFerrari1:22.992
6Valtteri BOTTASMercedes1:23.036
7Charles LECLERCFerrari1:23.122
8Yuki TSUNODAAlpha Tauri1:23.220
9Esteban OCONAlpine1:23.389
10Daniel RICCIARDOMcLaren1:23.409
11Fernando ALONSOAlpine1:23.460
12Pierre GASLYAlpha Tauri1:24.043
13Lance STROLLAston Martin1:24.066
14Antonio GIOVINAZZIAlfa Romeo1:24.251
15Sebastian VETTELAston Martin1:24.305
16Nicholas LATIFIWilliams1:24.338
17George RUSSELLWilliams1:24.423
18Kimi RÄIKKÖNENAlfa Romeo1:24.779
19Mick SCHUMACHERHaas1:24.906
20Nikita MAZEPINHaas1:25.685

Race Results​

1Max VERSTAPPENRed BullLAP 58
2Lewis HAMILTONMercedes2.256
3Carlos SAINZFerrari5.173
4Yuki TSUNODAAlpha Tauri5.692
5Pierre GASLYAlpha Tauri6.531
6Valtteri BOTTASMercedes7.463
7Lando NORRISMcLaren59.2
8Fernando ALONSOAlpine61.708
9Esteban OCONAlpine64.026
10Charles LECLERCFerrari66.057
11Sebastian VETTELAston Martin67.527
12Daniel RICCIARDOMcLaren+1L
13Lance STROLLAston Martin+1L
14Mick SCHUMACHERHaas+1L
15Sergio PÉREZRed BullDNF
16Nicholas LATIFIWilliamsDNF
17Antonio GIOVINAZZIAlfa RomeoDNF
18George RUSSELLWilliamsDNF
19Kimi RÄIKKÖNENAlfa RomeoDNF

What are your thoughts on the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Let us know on Twitter at @RaceDepartment or in the comments section below!

Photo credits: Red Bull Content Pool
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About author
Mike Smith
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

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Comments

muzikant
Richard Wilks said:
He won more races, got more poles, and led more laps.

He was only equal in points due to more unfortunate situations beyond his control.

So for me, he is a legitimate champion, regardless. It's not like he got the title by fluke. That Lewis led the last race until (almost) the end doesn't change anything. Max also led Baku all the way until the tire went, for example.
Click to expand...
totally agree but hard to digest for the Hamilton fans finally a real competition instead of all the free 6 world titles.. what a epic season
 
Damage Inc
jesus wept, seeing how Lewis benefitted from rules and regs for SO smegging long INCLUDING this season it's defies belief anyone can think FiA wanted Max win.

Also can someone SHOW me the rule that directly prohibits Masi from doing what he did?

And also try and comprehend that if he'd made the decision to finish behind the safety car that would have DIRECTLY influenced the result as Lewis was guarenteed the WDC in that scenario. What Masi did was allow the two to fight, the disadvantage Lewis had with the tyres HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH Masi.
 
Damage Inc
Fat-Alfie said:
I just think it's a complete farce. A decision was made during the race, Horner says RB need one more lap, and then Masi manufactures a situation to facilitate it.

It smacks of corruption.
Click to expand...
What smacks of corruption to me FAR more is Merc lobbying for the hybrid era knowing full well they had a massive head start on the opposition and the FiA allowed it. I wonder how much money transferred from Merc to FiA officials for that?
 
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D

  • Deleted member 379375

Richard Wilks said:
He won more races, got more poles, and led more laps.

He was only equal in points due to more unfortunate situations beyond his control.

So for me, he is a legitimate champion, regardless. It's not like he got the title by fluke. That Lewis led the last race until (almost) the end doesn't change anything. Max also led Baku all the way until the tire went, for example.
Click to expand...
If you are happy then great, as I said for many it's a hollow victory.
I look forward to seeing him compete fairly, in a sportsman like fashion, racing hard but fair and winning the title without selective application of rules (which was not his fault) .
 
muzikant
winston malcolm said:
If you are happy then great, as I said for many it's a hollow victory.
I look forward to seeing him compete fairly, in a sportsman like fashion, racing hard but fair and winning the title without selective application of rules (which was not his fault) .
Click to expand...

Fair hmmm a lot of strange dissisions this year
 
Sasha Jednak
winston malcolm said:
Well it will never really be over as the reputation of the sport has been damaged and for many fans Max is not (yet) a legitimate champion although it won't be long, he has the speed.
Click to expand...
So basically he is not legitimate champion because he failed to finish 1st or 2nd in 3 races where he was DNFed and 1 race where his car was "in pieces"? Sounds about right. Championship is not 1 race, put bias aside and look again through all races this season. If in the end you still consider Max as not having legitimate claim on title this year, better get back to football.

As for reputation of the "sport", did you ask the same when leaving/cutting the track and closing the space to the wall was done 2 times? First time nothing was done, second time penalty was given (if you follow f1 you know both instances by heart hopefully). Or when obvious penalty was put on hold, until other competitor also developed pitstop requiring issue. I'm guessing "sport's reputation" then was fine???

P.S. I've put the last one in, just so you can't call me on bias for reds. ;)
 
Sasha Jednak
muzikant said:
Maybe the titel should be.. how push someone of the track and take 5 penalty seconds and repair your car for free and win the race
Click to expand...
Come on, it was 10sec not 5. More than enough. It wasn't that dangerous. If he caused same incident while going 50kph that would be drive through for sure. This way, on safe speeds of 250+kph it was all fine and 10sec weas even to much if you ask me. :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
 
muzikant
Sasha Jednak said:
Come on, it was 10sec not 5. More than enough. It wasn't that dangerous. If he caused same incident while going 50kph that would be drive through for sure. This way, on safe speeds of 250+kph it was all fine and 10sec weas even to much if you ask me. :roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
Click to expand...
Sorry 10 but repair your car for free hmmm... and win the race easy
 
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Gevatter
Premium
winston malcolm said:
Well it will never really be over as the reputation of the sport has been damaged
Click to expand...
That won't be an issue beacuse of this single decision. Changes to the reg's wording and their application have to be made for sure, but just like only the Verstappen fans still complain about Silverstone, only the Hamilton fans will complain about Abu Dhabi coming next season.

I'd again like to remind people of Suzuka 1989, where Balestre actually decided the Championship in favour of Prost over Senna with his ruling, unlike Masi in 2021. That was an actual low point for the sport, and F1 still recovered from it fairly quickly since the 1991 season is one of those most fondly remembered nowadays.
 
LeSunTzu
Gevatter said:
I'd again like to remind people of Suzuka 1989, where Balestre actually decided the Championship in favour of Prost over Senna with his ruling, unlike Masi in 2021. That was an actual low point for the sport, and F1 still recovered from it fairly quickly since the 1991 season is one of those most fondly remembered nowadays.
Click to expand...
How on earth can you relay such fake stories??

For the record:
- Suzuka was not the last race in 89, but the penultimate race;
- Prost was leading Senna by 16 points before the Suzuka GP.
- In 89 the victory was 9 points.
- At the last race in Adelaide Senna crashed in the rear of Brundle's car and had a DNF.
- Prost would have finished 7 points ahead of Senna even if Senna had won Suzuka.
 
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muzikant
Gevatter said:
That won't be an issue beacuse of this single decision. Changes to the reg's wording and their application have to be made for sure, but just like only the Verstappen fans still complain about Silverstone, only the Hamilton fans will complain about Abu Dhabi coming next season.

I'd again like to remind people of Suzuka 1989, where Balestre actually decided the Championship in favour of Prost over Senna with his ruling, unlike Masi in 2021. That was an actual low point for the sport, and F1 still recovered from it fairly quickly since the 1991 season is one of those most fondly remembered nowadays.
Click to expand...

Agree but is not only Silverdtone this year a lot of strange things from the FIA in favour of Merc. We miss a good guy like Charly Whitting
 
Richard Wilks
LeSunTzu said:
How on earth can you relay such fake stories??

For the record:
- Suzuka was not the last race in 89, but the penultimate race;
- Prost was leading Senna by 16 points before the Suzuka GP.
- In 89 the victory was 9 points.
- At the last race in Adelaide Senna crashed in the rear of Brundle's car and had a DNF.
- Prost would have finished 7 points ahead of Senna even if Senna had won Suzuka.
Click to expand...

While all that is true, you have to admit that the president of the FIA himself disqualifying a title contender, and thus ending the title fight by stripping away a win based on a very loose personal intepretation of a technicality, is a lot more damning to the integrity of the sport than what Masi did.
 
LeSunTzu
LMGiorni said:
We had a lot of talented drivers as Hamiton or even much more than him, I do not care about Englad titles and so should the rest of the world.
And if Hamilton brings politics to the table, I can bring religion, and speak my mind. If he is Catholic and as he said a few races ago, he is, then he should decline the entitlement. If not, he is not Catholic he is just what he decided to be, a political icon.
Click to expand...
For your information the Order of the British Empire is not a religious order.
 
D
LeSunTzu said:
For your information the Order of the British Empire is not a religious order.
Click to expand...
No but Catholics are supposed to refrain from entanglements such as those granted by governments. Of course there are plenty of 'other' things Catholics are not supposed to do and they are done by large swaths of that population. Neither of you are wrong. Nothing to see here. Move along.
 
Gevatter
Premium
LeSunTzu said:
How on earth can you relay such fake stories??

For the record:
- Suzuka was not the last race in 89, but the penultimate race;
- Prost was leading Senna by 16 points before the Suzuka GP.
- In 89 the victory was 9 points.
- At the last race in Adelaide Senna crashed in the rear of Brundle's car and had a DNF.
- Prost would have finished 7 points ahead of Senna even if Senna had won Suzuka.
Click to expand...
All true, but:

1) I never said it was.
2)+3)+5) So Senna could have made WDC if he won both (he "won" Suzuka before DSQ) and Prost DNF'd both races which he did.
4) Which was not known at the time of the decision at the Suzuka race

There was a chance for Senna, however marginal, which was taken away by Baletstre's decision.
 
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