Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Tips: Max to have the last laugh
A thrilling Formula 1 season will reach its climax at Yas Marina circuit in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, with three drivers still in the running to clinch the championship.
McLaren’s Lando Norris holds sway on 408 points to Max Verstappen’s 396, with the leader’s team-mate Oscar Piastri next on 392.
While Norris and Piastri traded blows at the start of the season, it is now Verstappen who has the momentum and the Dutchman is on the charge for his fifth consecutive title having won the last two races in Las Vegas and Qatar.
Tip 1 – Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix @ 6/4
While he is already a four-time drivers’ championship winner, claiming this year’s title would surely rank among Verstappen’s greatest achievements.
He has not had the pace of the two McLaren cars this season, but still finds himself within touching distance of another world championship after a flying finish to the season in his Red Bull.
His experience and composure have seen him record dominant wins at the last two races in Las Vegas and Qatar, meaning he has won five of the last eight races, while he is also immune from the ‘Papaya Rules’ approach plaguing the two drivers at McLaren.
They were also the subject of a baffling strategic decision in Qatar, as the team opted against pitting either driver under the safety car, a decision which only played into the hands of Verstappen.
The timing could hardly have been worse after McLaren’s agonising dual disqualification in Las Vegas, and the Red Bull team appears better equipped to deal with the stresses of a title fight.
While Norris won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, Verstappen remains a huge challenger to claim yet another title.
He will need to win and Norris to finish no better than fourth to take another title, but championship or not, Verstappen rates a formidable opponent going into a pressurised finale.
Tip 2 – Lando Norris to qualify on pole position @ 7/4
Lando Norris may have gained a reputation for starting races slowly, but he has also proved outstanding in the qualifying phase of the Grand Prix weekend.
Norris was bettered by his team-mate Piastri in Qatar last time, but had started on pole position for the three previous races, in Las Vegas, Mexico and Brazil.
The McLaren driver is able to extract exceptional pace from his McLaren in qualifying conditions, as he proved when also landing the car in the top spot in Australia, Monaco, Austria and Belgium.
The race will be a separate challenge, but he can top the timesheets once again on Saturday.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
