Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event guide
The end of the longest Formula 1 season will finally draw to a close this weekend, but there is still one more race to win at Abu Dhabi.
What has become the traditional season closer since 2014 will take place at Yas Marina Circuit, another location Max Verstappen and Red Bull have dominated at.
The flying Dutchman has won the last three Abu Dhabi Grands Prix including 2020 when Mercedes was the much quicker car and that 2021 finale.
Not even a broken front wing and spirited defence from Charles Leclerc could stop Verstappen from taking a remarkable 18th win of the year last time out in Vegas.
Download the full Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Event Guide with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus extensive driver profiles here
If Red Bull claim another triumph, it will end up with the second best winning percentage in a single season with 91.3% behind only McLaren’s 1988 MP4/4 with 93.75%.
On both occasions the dominant cars would have won all-but one race, standing out in the 73-year history.
Given Verstappen’s form and the extremely long DRS zones, it is hard to see this not happening.
Despite Red Bull teammates Verstappen and Sergio Perez now untouchable in the top two positions in the championship, there is still a lot to play for.
The UAE Air Force Display team Al Fursan flies over the grid prior to the start of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Photo by Steve Etherington / LAT Images
The most anticipated battle in the constructors championship will be the fight for second between heavyweights Ferrari and Mercedes.
At the summer break the three pointed star seemed to be pretty safe enjoying a 51-point buffer, but that has closed to just four points ahead of the finale.
Since Monza the prancing horse has been galloping at high speed, being the only team to beat Red Bull and Leclerc taking three of the last four pole positions.
Meanwhile Mercedes recently has struggled to find top gear giving Ferrari all the momentum to claim the important place.
McLaren has recently leapfrogged Aston Martin to take fourth in the constructors championship, but that fight is not over.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins under the sun before it descends into darkness. Photo by Sam Bloxham / LAT Images)
Just 11 points is the difference and Oscar Piastri will be looking to finish his impressive rookie season on a high note at the track where it all began officially in McLaren colours last year.
In what will be the last race with the AlphaTauri name, Daniel Ricciardo hopes to represent the brand with pride.
Collected points last time here in his McLaren swansong and a similar result could be crucial for the Italian squad with Williams seven points ahead in seventh place.
In Friday practice a number of youngsters including Australia’s Jack Doohan will get a rare F1 outing for Alpine.
Pato O’Ward (McLaren) Zak O’Sullivan (Williams) Jake Dennis (Red Bull) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) Fred Vesti (Mercedes) Robert Shwartzman (Ferrari) Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin), Theo Pourchaire (Alfa Romeo) and Ollie Bearman (Haas).
The traditional race weekend format awaits for the finale with the big sessions all taking place around the stroke of midnight.
Photo by Steven Tee / LAT Images
Download the full Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Event Guide with track stats and facts and a full event schedule, plus extensive driver profiles here
For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE
In our latest podcast, our intrepid crew leads the news cycle again with all the info on Tim from Thomastown and other changes inside Supercars and with Team 18!
Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or CLICK HERE
