Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Presentation and predictions from the editorial team

We are there! The epilogue of this fabulous 2021 season will take place this weekend in Abu Dhabi after the 22 races that have punctuated this historic championship.

Two important changes to the Yas Marina track

For the first time since its introduction to the calendar in 2009, the Yas Marina circuit has undergone changes to its layout. Major developments that slightly change the philosophy and should offer much more overtaking than usual.

The first change takes place at the end of the first sector with the removal of the chicane for a single hairpin forming turn 5 and which initiates the long DRS straight.

The second change is made at the end of the second DRS straight where once again, the winding part with the chicane and the double right angle left is replaced by a long hairpin connecting to the third sector of the track, unchanged for its part.

With these changes, the track now has only 16 corners (compared to the 21 of the old layout) over a total length of 5.281 kilometers. These changes couldn’t have come at a better time with the finale of this epic championship!

Pirelli’s choices

As last year, the Italian manufacturer has opted for its softest range from C3 (hard tire) to C5 (soft tire). The track’s configuration lends itself well to this tire allocation and strategies should be quite classic… Unless a crazy race is about to unfold before us!

It all comes down to this. The Yas Marina circuit will host the title-deciding race for the fourth time in its history. Here’s everything you need to know. #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 #Fit4F1 #Formula1 #Pirellihttps://t.co/6jgsUR77hC pic.twitter.com/IfvsZUQQvo

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) December 6, 2021

Who will definitively enter History.

It is obviously the thing that we will follow throughout the race: who will win the world championship, Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton?

The rule is simple: the one who finishes ahead of the other will win the championship unless both protagonists are out of the points, in which case the title would go to Verstappen based on the number of wins.

Abu Dhabi is a special place for both teams. In fact, this circuit celebrated the first title of the Austrian team with Sebastian Vettel in 2010 but also the first one of the Mercedes / Hamilton partnership four years later.

Whoever the champion, the winner will forever enter History: Hamilton to be the undisputed king with his record of 8 titles surpassing Schumacher, Verstappen to be the first driver of the Next Gen to be titled by beating the legend Sir Lewis.

The editor’s predictions: a crazy race…And an inevitable clash!

If some of our editors stick to classical results, many of us believe in the strong possibility of a clash between Hamilton and Verstappen! With obviously the last Grand Prix in Jeddah cited as a precursor example, the palpable tension between the two parties seems to have reached a climax not seen since the now legendary Hamilton / Rosberg battle.

To get the chestnut out of the fire, several hypotheses are put forward such as Bottas’ latest victory for Mercedes, the French on the podium… or even a win for Fernando Alonso to finish the season in style! In most cases, the trend is more towards an eighth triumph for Hamilton rather than a first one for Verstappen.

And you?

What are your favorites for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

The start of the Grand Prix will be given this Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. Find all the schedules to know within the TV program.