After 10 months and 21 races of non-stop action, it all comes down to the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen face off in Formula One’s closest title race in 47 years. For just the second time in history, both drivers enter the final race level on points and here is what you can expect in the blockbuster winner takes all showdown to decide the 2021 F1 World Championship.
THE TITLE FIGHT
View this post on Instagram
With both Hamilton and Verstappen arriving at the Yas Marina circuit with 369.5 points each, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be a straight shootout between the two drivers, with whoever finishes ahead of the other taking home the 2021 Drivers championship.
The confidence and the momentum currently lie with Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, who have won each of the last three races and have had the faster car since Mexico. Hamilton also has experience on his side, having already been in five final-race showdowns in his F1 career, with the latest coming against Nico Rosberg in 2016.
However, Verstappen still holds the championship lead after winning nine races to Lewis’ eight so far this season, meaning if both drivers crash out of the race and finish level on points, the Dutchman would win his 1st world title.
After some thrilling battles throughout the season, the title race reached a boiling point last weekend in Jeddah with plenty of controversy, penalties and wheel-to-wheel action between the two rivals. And with the stakes turned up to the limit for the final race in Abu Dhabi, we can expect more fireworks on and off the track in this title showdown.
THE CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP
View this post on Instagram
For the first time since 2008, the constructor’s championship will also be decided in the final race of the season, but following Sergio Perez’s retirement in Saudi Arabia, this battle is a lot easier to call. With their double podium in Jeddah, Mercedes are 28 points clear of Red Bull in the standings, and with only a maximum of 44 points on offer this weekend, the Brackley-based outfit already have one hand on a record-extending 8th consecutive constructors’ title.
THE TRACK
View this post on Instagram
Hamilton has won a record five races at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, but Max Verstappen dominated in 2020, snatching pole and leading every lap of the Grand Prix to take the victory. However, this year there have been some changes to the circuit layout, making the track 14 seconds shorter by removing some corners to promote better racing.
These track modifications add a new twist to what promises to be an epic conclusion to a thrilling season, and we will wait and see if Lewis Hamilton can win his record-breaking 8th world title or if Max Verstappen can usher in the new generation of young drivers and end the Mercedes era of dominance.
[Featured Image Credit: Formula 1]
Shivaan Shah