The Formula 1 drivers are gearing up to hit the track one final time this year for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, set for Sunday, 26 November.
As the curtain falls on the 2017 Formula 1 season at the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, fans are in for an exciting weekend. Despite Lewis Hamilton clinching the Drivers’ Championship early, the season has delivered plenty of thrilling moments, and the final race promises more pulse-pounding action.
Here’s a look back on the previous race and what to expect at Abu Dhabi:
Last Race Recap
Ferrari made a strong statement in Brazil, grabbing a double podium. Sebastian Vettel took the race win while Kimi Raikkonen secured third place. Though the results might not have affected the championship standings, it signaled that Ferrari will be a fierce competitor chasing Mercedes in 2018.
Mercedes faced challenges; Valtteri Bottas finished just behind Vettel, while Lewis Hamilton was narrowly edged out by Raikkonen for third. The top six featured the usual key players, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
The top ten also included Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, and Nico Hulkenberg, each showcasing great skill and tenacity.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Details | Sunday, 26 November | Yas Marina Circuit | 14:30 CAT
Race Odds
Lewis Hamilton 83/100 | Sebastian Vettel 9/4 | Valtteri Bottas 6/1 | Max Verstappen 12/1 | Daniel Ricciardo 14/1 | Kimi Raikkonen 20/1
Track Information
The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is a stunning desert racing venue known for its state-of-the-art design. The circuit holds over 41,000 spectators, with a track length of 5.554 kilometres over 21 challenging turns. Drivers will battle it out across 55 laps, covering a total of 305.355 kilometres.
The trickiest sections are the tight chicane between turns five and six, offering limited traction, and the slow, technical sequence of turns 11, 12, and 13. Pirelli’s Ultra-Soft tyres have been the go-to choice this weekend, with many teams opting to bring all ten sets for the race.
Fans won’t need to worry about the weather, as Abu Dhabi provides typically scorching, dry conditions with no chance of rain.
Last year, Lewis Hamilton took the win, with teammate Nico Rosberg finishing second and Sebastian Vettel rounding out the podium in third.
Value Bet – Max Verstappen at 11/10
Max Verstappen has been in fantastic form recently, winning the Mexican and Malaysian Grands Prix and securing a podium in Japan. He also recorded the Fastest Lap last week. Notably, Verstappen finished fourth at Yas Marina last year, making his 11/10 odds for a podium finish outstanding value.
Lewis Hamilton – Favourite for Pole Position and Race Win
Though it might seem predictable, Hamilton is poised for another strong finish with odds of 13/20 for pole and 83/100 for the race win. The Yas Marina Circuit has been a Mercedes stronghold in recent years, with a Silver Arrow driver winning the last three races here. The last non-Mercedes winner at this track was Sebastian Vettel back in 2013.
While the payouts may not be huge, backing Hamilton to win or claim pole is a solid bet you shouldn’t miss – it’s as reliable as turkey at an American Thanksgiving feast!
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
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