Abu Dhabi Grand Prix betting tips: Best bets and selections for the final race of the F1 season

The F1 drivers’ championship could have been resolved in Qatar, but thanks to a McLaren faux pas the wait to find out this year’s champion will end in a fitting finale at Abu Dhabi.

McLaren still has two drivers in the fight, although both were disqualified in a nightmarish Las Vegas race and a poor strategic decision prevented them from chalelnging for the win last time.

Max Verstappen took advantage of that, with the title leader Lando Norris coming home fourth and Oscar Piastri finishing second from pole position.

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tips

• Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix @ 6/4

Norris may win the war but Verstappen can take final battle

Red Bull’s Verstappen needs to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and for Norris to finish no better than fourth to clinch a fifth drivers’ championship.

Piastri is the outsider of the three after leading for a considerable chunk of the season and would need exceptional circumstances for a remarkable comeback.

The Australian fared slightly better from pole position in Qatar last time, managing to finish second, which ended a run of six without hitting the podium.

Logic says his team-mate Norris has done enough to secure a first title, even withstanding McLaren’s poor fortune and decision-making of late.

However, the momentum is clearly with Verstappen, who has closed to be within striking distance from a remarkable position.

He is now just 12 points behind having been a 100-1 shot to win the title after the Zandvoort Grand Prix at the end of August and has won five of the last eight races. The bit is firmly between his teeth.

The Dutchman is well accustomed to the pressure of a title fight having recorded a memorable first victory over Lewis Hamilton at this track in 2021 to seal one of the most epic championship battles in F1 history.

That was his first of four wins at the circuit, more than any other driver, and he can exact his revenge on Norris, who was successful last year.

We have seen his steely attitude and composure gain him dominant victories in Las Vegas and Qatar and it may be that he is best equipped to deal with the stresses of this final race.

At 6/4, he represents good value to land an eighth Grand Prix of a memorable season.

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