Verstappen’s 369.5 factors performs Hamilton’s 369.5 factors with one deciding race to go of an unbelievable season; Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships to each be settled at Abu Dhabi’s season finale this weekend, with Sunday’s race stay at 1pm on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
By James Galloway
Final Up to date: 08/12/21 11:23pm
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s wonderful title duel will probably be settled in a blockbuster winner-takes-all F1 showdown at this Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi GP.
With Hamilton successful with the quickest lap in entrance of second-placed Verstappen after a race of excessive drama in Saudi Arabia, the duelling rivals are extremely lifeless stage on factors after 21 races of a gripping season’s 22 occasions.
That units up Components 1’s first last-race decider since 2016, at Abu Dhabi’s revamped Yas Marina floodlit circuit.
All the weekend’s monitor motion on the Sundown Showdown will probably be stay on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s showdown race beginning at 1pm.
Simply the fourth event up to now decade that F1’s drivers’ title race has gone all the way down to the wire, a champion will probably be topped on the season’s remaining occasion for the thirtieth time within the sport’s 72-season historical past.
F1’s final 5 final-race deciders
| Yr | Chief/Challenger(s) | Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rosberg/Hamilton | Rosberg |
| 2014 | Hamilton/Rosberg | Hamilton |
| 2012 | Vettel/Alonso | Vettel |
| 2010 | Alonso/Webber, Vettel, Hamilton | Vettel |
| 2008 | Hamilton/Massa | Hamilton |
Extremely, this weekend is simply the second time after the 1974 season that two drivers have gone all the way down to the wire tied on factors.
Tied on 369.5 factors, Verstappen continues to be formally forward of Hamilton courtesy of the game’s countback rule, as he has gained 9 race wins to the Briton’s eight to this point this season.
That signifies that on Sunday had been they to attain the identical variety of factors in the one situation the place that’s doable (ninth for certainly one of them and tenth with the quickest lap for the opposite) – or each fail to attain in any respect – Verstappen can be world champion on the tiebreak.
The important thing stay Sky F1 instances for Abu Dhabi
| FRIDAY | On Air | Session begin |
| Observe One | 9am | 9.30am |
| Observe Two | 12.45pm | 1pm |
| SATURDAY | ||
| Observe Three | 9.45am | 10am |
| Qualifying | 12pm | 1pm |
| SUNDAY | ||
| Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | 11.30am | 1pm |
The Constructors’ Championship struggle between Mercedes and Purple Bull additionally stays unsettled (the final time that title went to the ultimate spherical was 2008).
However Mercedes’ one-three end in Jeddah means they’ve one agency hand on a record-extending eighth groups’ title in a row, the Brackley outfit now 28 factors away from Purple Bull with simply 44 left on provide.
What’s on the road for Verstappen & Hamilton?
It has been a season of excessive ability and ever-higher stakes within the battle between Components 1’s most profitable driver and the chief of the brand new younger era.
Chasing his maiden world title in his seventh season within the sport however first with a title-contending challenger, the 24-year-old Dutchman Verstappen would turn into his nation’s first-ever F1 champion and Purple Bull’s second after Sebastian Vettel.
Considerably, he would additionally finish Hamilton’s four-year reign on the summit of the game and be the primary non-Mercedes champion since Vettel in 2013.
One to go: The way it stands within the title chases
| Drivers’ | Factors |
| 1) Max Verstappen | 369.5 |
| 2) Lewis Hamilton | 369.5 |
| Constructors’ | |
| 1) Mercedes | 587.5 |
| 2) Purple Bull | 559.5 |
Verstappen has headed the standings after 14 of this season’s 21 rounds however within the three weeks since November 14 has seen a 21-point lead whittled all the way down to zero due to a hat-trick of grand prix victories from his British rival.
For Hamilton, a record-breaking eighth world title is the historic prize on provide.
The 36-year-old tied Michael Schumacher’s benchmark of seven final yr however that is his probability to maneuver out on his personal. Already the report holder for race wins, podium finishers and pole positions, an eighth title would imply Hamilton strikes out on his personal on the head of the entire sport’s most vital statistical tables.
Sundown Showdown: Sky F1’s Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Thursday
3pm: The F1 Present Stay*
4pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
Friday
9am: Observe One Stay (Session begins 9.30am)*
12.45pm: Observe Two Stay (Session begins 1pm)*
Saturday
9.45am: Observe Three Stay (Session begins 10am)
12pm: Qualifying build-up Stay*
1pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying*
4pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday
11.30am: Race build-up – Grand Prix Sunday Stay*
1pm: THE ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX LIVE*
3pm: Race response – Chequered Flag Stay*
4pm: Ted’s Pocket book
5pm: Abu Dhabi GP highlights
*simulcast on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
You may also comply with all the newest updates and evaluation by way of the week on skysports.com, the Sky Sports activities App and Sky Sports activities Information, plus additionally keep in control through Sky F1’s social platforms – Twitter, Instagram, Fb and YouTube.
