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

Mike Kadlcak
F1 is a joke. Take Spa this year. Total joke. How could they even count this disaster and even gift race win and points to anyone is beyond logic thinking.
I guess the ending of this season will be a joke as well. :D

Can’t wait to get rid of this crap cars and DRS soon enough. Too bad DRS stays for another year.
 
Bazooka_Joe
Whoever wins it - someone have to lose it. It was a season with some decent fights from early on and finally someone is seriously challenging Mercs in the hybrid era. Both drivers deserve it this year.

Merc definitely deserves WCC, but while I'd prefer Max to win WDC I won't mind as such Lewis winning it too. I think though 7 is enough anyway and it's time for somebody else finally.

Let the ultimate battle begin. What a ride all season!
 
Milos
Badwheels said:
Lewis gonna lose. I can feel it in ma bones. He will get 8 championships, but not this year. He signed a 2 year deal and I think he gets it next year and gives it all up. Thoughts ?
Click to expand...
I've learnt with watching Merc over the years, it's never over until I see physically Max crossing the finish line before Lewis (or even until the FIA gives an official classification).
Lewis can still win this one, AND go on to win the next seasons until the engine refresh at least. One thing is almost certain - Merc will have the best engine in 2022 and that means we will be seeing more Merc and Hamilton wins.

I predict (and hope) Alpine can make a nice resurgence on the aero front, as I can't see anyone other than Max or Nando challenging Lewis in equal (or near-equal) cars.
 
Badwheels
Milos said:
I've learnt with watching Merc over the years, it's never over until I see physically Max crossing the finish line before Lewis (or even until the FIA gives an official classification).
Lewis can still win this one, AND go on to win the next seasons until the engine refresh at least. One thing is almost certain - Merc will have the best engine in 2022 and that means we will be seeing more Merc and Hamilton wins.

I predict (and hope) Alpine can make a nice resurgence on the aero front, as I can't see anyone other than Max or Nando challenging Lewis in equal (or near-equal) cars.
Click to expand...
So what strategy should Merc employ in order for Lewis to win this race ? One stop, take an early lead, run second and kill Max's tires ?
 
D
Milos said:
I've learnt with watching Merc over the years, it's never over until I see physically Max crossing the finish line before Lewis (or even until the FIA gives an official classification).
Lewis can still win this one, AND go on to win the next seasons until the engine refresh at least. One thing is almost certain - Merc will have the best engine in 2022 and that means we will be seeing more Merc and Hamilton wins.

I predict (and hope) Alpine can make a nice resurgence on the aero front, as I can't see anyone other than Max or Nando challenging Lewis in equal (or near-equal) cars.
Click to expand...
you have mentioned several times about the engine freeze til 2025. But weren't there stores here or perhaps F1.com where Ferrari was going to a completely new engine package for the 2022 cars? I may be crossing thoughts in my memory, but it seems there were some stories about a new engine at the Prancing Horse....
 
Milos
Badwheels said:
So what strategy should Merc employ in order for Lewis to win this race ? One stop, take an early lead, run second and kill Max's tires ?
Click to expand...
I doubt Lewis can take the early lead since Max has the soft tyre, unless he gets away with another formation lap trick like in Jeddah. Max will have to stop sooner, so for him the race will be about managing the stint on hards as 2 stop really doesn't make sense at this circuit. So Lewis will have the tyre advantage in the end, and I think Merc is still faster in the race overall.

davehenrie said:
you have mentioned several times about the engine freeze til 2025. But weren't there stores here or perhaps F1.com where Ferrari was going to a completely new engine package for the 2022 cars? I may be crossing thoughts in my memory, but it seems there were some stories about a new engine at the Prancing Horse....
Click to expand...
I've heard it as well. But merc also won't just be sitting idly while Ferrari do the new engine :p
Alpine also have a new unit planned, I think.
 
manu68
Premium
I don't look at formula one anymore.
I remain a HUGE fan of formula one, but there is just to much things around the all circus that I just dislike .

I wish the best one on the track will win a be champion.
Nice for him and his bank account .

I personally don't appreciate the personality of Max Verstapen.
Everytime I heard him speaking on TV, I just think that we could never be friend together.
Nothing like that with Lewis hamilton. I could be friend with him, espacially if he decides to offer me his watch !

Good luck to both of them.
 
Kostakop_
BrainsBush said:
For Mazepin it is already season over. He will not race today (positive COVID)
Click to expand...
Danm, that's a shame, even with all the hate he has gotten I'm pretty sure everyone wouldn't want him to miss out on the last race ofthe season
 
D
Did the FIA just discover a way to Hand Lewis or Max the Title? If Mazaspin can test positive for Covid-19, what's to stop them from declaring Max/Lewis also positive? We'll have to wait and see....
 
Damage Inc
RandomMallard said:
Not trying to start a comment war are we?

But this article does show one thing: everyone makes mistakes. Max has made some pretty big ones in the last few races, but Lewis has made plenty in the past as well (2011 being a very notable year with many incidents in it). Max's braking in Saudi was reckless and dangerous, and he was penalised for it. It just so happened that the penalty had no effect (which isn't unusual). I think 10 seconds was probably fair, although I would have rather seen a grid penalty.

I don't think it warranted a DSQ, or ban, or anything like that unless it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that it was deliberate, which would be extremely difficult. I'm using the beyond reasonable standard of proof because I expect any punishment like that would end up either at the very top of the FIA courts, or the Court of Arbitration for Sport (or potentially even further), where proper legal standards apply. If they can prove it was deliberate, then DSQ him, ban him; he would deserve it. But unless you can meet that standard of proof it will be very difficult to apply such a penalty.
Click to expand...
Not a war "perspective". As you say everyone makes mistakes, especially when either overdriving an underperforming car or fighting tooth and nail for a championship. Both drivers desperate to win. Max is impetuous due to his age.
 
Damage Inc
Dethrone1427 said:
That's what I hope for Max. I was watching the 2011 BBC review on YouTube the other night and I thought that Lewis and his driving that season (granted he had a massive amount of distractions that season, Nicole's fine ass, management reshuffle, dad being shuffled out the equation and no family attending races). But his Monaco antics in particular made me think that maybe Max will grow out of this, because I'm sorry, I know Max fans are going to come flying out the wood work pitch forks aloft, but his driving this season has been genuinely worrying at times. With a level of disdain for others he goes wheel to wheel with. Much like Lewis in 2011. Ask Felipe! Here's hoping Max blossoms into something even more incredible than he is now -THAT would be something. We face a future full of battles with LeClerc/Lando/George and possibly Ocon once Lewis retires and leaves Merc.
Click to expand...
Max should grow out of it, he's only 24 (Lewis was 26 is 2011?). Yup plenty of top talent to watch in the future sans Lewis.
 
Damage Inc
davehenrie said:
Did the FIA just discover a way to Hand Lewis or Max the Title? If Mazaspin can test positive for Covid-19, what's to stop them from declaring Max/Lewis also positive? We'll have to wait and see....
Click to expand...
That would be the ultimate anti climax!!!
 
Jim Layee
Brent Mills said:
Completely agree, I am 100% supporting Max, but not respecting the opposition is sickening. How the hell did this loutish behaviour infect racing, I thought it was the gentleman's sport.
Click to expand...

Motorsport for decades was a gentleman's sport. This period ended in the 1960' with the rise of the professional driver, since then it's been a cut throat game and will remain so.

All that matters is winning,

One thing that has changed a lot since the millennium is the clamour from the 'fans' is to be entertained , before then we knew it was their sport and we got to watch but now it has to be a huge soap opera with a revolving cast of baddies and goodies.
 
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