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
zwiss said:
This goes to prove that the FIA were NEVER deliberately trying to advantage Lewis, NEVER!
They always tried to do a good job, but today's tracks and aggressive ways of racing make it very hard to judge sometimes.
Lewis was very lucky sometimes, and today Max got his share, and I am happy that he won.
I really hope they will not change the outcome of the race and championship.
Click to expand...
well I think everyone agrees that too many decisions were nonsense something needs to be done about it. So with never I disagree too many decisions fell strikingly in Merc's favor that allowed them to come back almost for free the season except today. Michael Masi is not the person for the future. Clear rules for everyone how easy it can be but too often influenced by politics that has to stop. today it went the other way. bit of karma for Merc though
 
Dzul
Premium
RowanZa said:
Does any one recall if the FIA has ever reversed a major decision based on their own error ?. Masi undoubtedly erred in terms of rule 39.12, unless there is a sub clause buried in there somewhere, that allows the race director, under certain circumstances, to make decisions that supersede what is in the rule book. The big debate will be how to redress the error as there is no precedent for such an event?
Go back to position one lap before safety car or make the first race of next season the last race of this season - maybe? Go Max :)
Click to expand...

Based on their own error? I don't know if you can say it like that... but in 1989 FIA's president (Jean-Marie Balestre) ensured Ayrton Senna got disqualified from the (penultimate) race at Suzuka prompting the crowning of Alain Prost as that year's F1's WDC (edit: after the results of the last race in Australia).

"Balestre's tenure as the FIA President was not without controversy. In 1989, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided at Suzuka, there were implications in Autosport magazine that Balestre was involved in manipulating the World Championship in favor of Prost, as Senna was disqualified, fined and suspended after the race, resulting in Prost becoming the World Champion. This ultimately led to Max Mosley's decision to run for the FISA presidency. Years later, after leaving the presidency of FIA, Balestre admitted to having acted to benefit Prost in 1989."

f1.fandom.com

Jean-Marie Balestre

Jean-Marie Balestre (April 9, 1921 – March 27, 2008) was the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile between 1985–1993. He was also president of Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) until 1991. He was preceded by Paul Metternich and succeeded by Max Mosley...
f1.fandom.com f1.fandom.com

Frankly, I don't see Jean Todt pulling a Balestre. Unfortunately Michael Masi is, to me, not capable to fill in Charlie Whiting's shoes and (IMHO) it may be better the FIA finds someone else as Race Director for next year, because the decisions made this season were more inconsistent than my lap times in AC using a controller. My 2 cents. And now off to practice. :coffee:
 
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R
Damn yesterday ufc huge upset and now this one too, hey need controversial stuff like this to happen or it’ll get stale
 
Copef1
The safety car at the end of this race, and the restart were not the only botched, or controversial decisions made by the FIA, and the stewards this season. It was also not the only decision that affected the outcome of the title fight. If you go back now, and somehow try to give the title to Lewis and Mercedes, it will only make things worse in my opinion. What the FIA can, and should do now is look at their failures this season, and put rules and officials in place that will stop the kind of poor officiating that we saw this season, in the future. Both Lewis and Max, as well as Redbull and Mercedes were deserving this season. Dragging this into a protracted court fight will only hurt the sport.
 
Steven Poirier
zwiss said:
If you make a pass so aggressive as Max did you have 2 options:
1 Crash into Max
2 take the escape road.
It's impossible to stop the car, so Max drove him off the track. FIA was right once again.
But I am glad Max won :)
Click to expand...
Same situation happen last GP.... what Verstappen got, let him pass....
 
D

  • Deleted member 379375

Sad end to an exciting season. The FIA can't undo what they've done.
 
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Mike Kadlcak
Dzul said:
Based on their own error? I don't know if you can say it like that... but in 1989 FIA's president (Jean-Marie Balestre) ensured Ayrton Senna got disqualified from the race at Suzuka prompting the crowning of Alain Prost as that year's F1's WDC.

"Balestre's tenure as the FIA President was not without controversy. In 1989, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided at Suzuka, there were implications in Autosport magazine that Balestre was involved in manipulating the World Championship in favor of Prost, as Senna was disqualified, fined and suspended after the race, resulting in Prost becoming the World Champion. This ultimately led to Max Mosley's decision to run for the FISA presidency. Years later, after leaving the presidency of FIA, Balestre admitted to having acted to benefit Prost in 1989."

f1.fandom.com

Jean-Marie Balestre

Jean-Marie Balestre (April 9, 1921 – March 27, 2008) was the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile between 1985–1993. He was also president of Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) until 1991. He was preceded by Paul Metternich and succeeded by Max Mosley...
f1.fandom.com f1.fandom.com

Frankly, I don't see Jean Todt pulling a Balestre. Unfortunately Michael Masi is, to me, not capable to fill in Charlie Whiting's shoes and (IMHO) it may be better the FIA finds someone else as Race Director for next year, because the decisions made this season were more inconsistent than my lap times in AC using a controller. My 2 cents. And now off to practice. :coffee:
Click to expand...
agree :) #Masimustgo
 
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Davide Nativo
Premium
Dzul said:
Balestre's tenure as the FIA President was not without controversy. In 1989, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided at Suzuka, there were implications in Autosport magazine that Balestre was involved in manipulating the World Championship in favor of Prost
Click to expand...
He also disqualified Lancia in the final rally of the season in 1986 out of a petty reason, handing Peugeot the World Rally title that year.

Basically, the guy tried to get French drivers and manufacturers win whenever he could :D
 
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AngryWolfCorey
Dzul said:
Based on their own error? I don't know if you can say it like that... but in 1989 FIA's president (Jean-Marie Balestre) ensured Ayrton Senna got disqualified from the race at Suzuka prompting the crowning of Alain Prost as that year's F1's WDC.

"Balestre's tenure as the FIA President was not without controversy. In 1989, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided at Suzuka, there were implications in Autosport magazine that Balestre was involved in manipulating the World Championship in favor of Prost, as Senna was disqualified, fined and suspended after the race, resulting in Prost becoming the World Champion. This ultimately led to Max Mosley's decision to run for the FISA presidency. Years later, after leaving the presidency of FIA, Balestre admitted to having acted to benefit Prost in 1989."
Click to expand...
AFTER Balestre arbitrarily moved Senna, the pole sitter, to the dirty side of the track the morning of the race. And if memory serves correctly Senna had initially been threatened with a season-long ban early the next year as well.
 
BrainsBush
Enthilzha said:
??? Where did you see that?

Although there was a poster on here (removed now I believe) earlier wishing cancer on to Lewis and the Merc team.

Disgusting behaviour no matter who you support or are against.
Click to expand...
Welcome to (anti) Social Media 2021. Twitter does it work
 
RowanZa
Dzul said:
Based on their own error? I don't know if you can say it like that... but in 1989 FIA's president (Jean-Marie Balestre) ensured Ayrton Senna got disqualified from the race at Suzuka prompting the crowning of Alain Prost as that year's F1's WDC.

"Balestre's tenure as the FIA President was not without controversy. In 1989, when Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided at Suzuka, there were implications in Autosport magazine that Balestre was involved in manipulating the World Championship in favor of Prost, as Senna was disqualified, fined and suspended after the race, resulting in Prost becoming the World Champion. This ultimately led to Max Mosley's decision to run for the FISA presidency. Years later, after leaving the presidency of FIA, Balestre admitted to having acted to benefit Prost in 1989."

f1.fandom.com

Jean-Marie Balestre

Jean-Marie Balestre (April 9, 1921 – March 27, 2008) was the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile between 1985–1993. He was also president of Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) until 1991. He was preceded by Paul Metternich and succeeded by Max Mosley...
f1.fandom.com f1.fandom.com

Frankly, I don't see Jean Todt pulling a Balestre. Unfortunately Michael Masi is, to me, not capable to fill in Charlie Whiting's shoes and (IMHO) it may be better the FIA finds someone else as Race Director for next year, because the decisions made this season were more inconsistent than my lap times in AC using a controller. My 2 cents. And now off to practice. :coffee:
Click to expand...
yes i remember that clearly, but that was a mere manipulation by an autocratic governing body. Masi, i don't believe intended any manipulation, just a rash decision to get the race finished under green
 
J
Davide Nativo said:
He also disqualified Lancia in the final rally of the season in 1986 out of a petty reason, handing Peugeot the World Rally title that year.

Basically, the guy tried to get French drivers and manufacturers win whenever he could :D
Click to expand...
Ahem, that was the 1986 San Remo Rally I mentioned earlier and Lancia wasn't disqualified. The entire rally was judged to be a non-WRC event, and the rationale was actually pretty reasonable (Peugeot DQ for side skirts that were declared legal at Rally GB).
 
JohannesK
Kingkoenig said:
Red flag would have been the right call, providing the teams would not have been allowed to work on their cars. However, right now, teams can change tires during a red flag, and there’s no doubt Mercedes would have done it. That would have been unfair to Red Bull and Verstappen, opening the door to yet another controversy.
Click to expand...
At least that was not unprecedented, that's a clear thing to everyone and just last week it benefitted Max.

Taking away the Championship because FIA is incompetent, would be a farce
 
Dzul
Premium
LeSunTzu said:
@Dzul @AngryWolfCorey You guys are rewriting history. In 89, the victory was 9 points, Senna was 16 points behind Prost at Suzuka which was the penultimate event and Senna crashed in Brundle's rear in Australia at the last race.
Click to expand...

I wasn't rewriting history... I was merely quoting from it. True, Suzuka was not the last race but I recalled this incident to answer a question regarding FIA's earlier decisions. No need to shoot at me for not giving the entire context amigo. ;)

(edit: I edited my post to be more accurate with the historical facts) :thumbsup:
 
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