Motor Racing

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Prediction & Betting Tips (2025)

2 days ago

| BY Sam Cox

Most Successful Teams In Formula One History

For the first time since 2021, the Drivers’ Championship will be decided at the final race of the season.

It is the first time since 2010 that three drivers have entered the final race with a chance of being crowned world champion, and only the third time this has happened since 1986.

Lando Norris is the heavy F1 betting favourite for the title at 1/3, though Max Verstappen is favoured in the race winner and qualifying markets.

Abu Dhabi Race Winner Odds

Max Verstappen – 11/8

Lando Norris – 2/1

Oscar Piastri – 10/3

George Russell – 10/1

Kimi Antonelli – 14/1

Charles Leclerc – 25/1

Title Permutations

McLaren’s strategy mishap last weekend reignited this title race. Norris could have been crowned champion in Qatar. Instead, he’s battling Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi after the former won and the latter finished second.

A podium guarantees the title for Norris.

Verstappen has to finish on the podium to stand a chance – Norris must be fourth or lower if he wins the race, eighth of lower if he finishes second, and ninth or lower if he finishes third.

Piastri must finish in the top two, and a win crowns him champion if Norris is sixth or lower. If the Aussie finishes second, he needs Norris 10th or lower with Verstappen off the podium.

Verstappen’s Momentum

Verstappen has nine consecutive podiums. He’s the second-most successful driver at Yas Marina and has won each of the last two races. The McLarens have better pace than the Red Bull in theory but hasn’t stopped the Dutchman’s remarkable surge down the stretch.

McLaren didn’t just leave the door ajar for Verstappen with the error in Qatar. It’s consecutive races that the papaya team have given an opportunity to the four-time world champion, leaving a minute margin for error.

A slow pit stop could swing this race. George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Kimi Antonelli have a major role to play with the pace they have displayed this year – getting in between the Red Bulls and McLarens adds spice to this race for the neutrals.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Bet Bet

Verstappen Race Winner, Norris Podium, Russell Top Six at 14/5

It’s not the boldest of predictions picking Verstappen to win. These are the circumstances he relishes, and he’s had the pace in recent weeks to keep close to the McLarens.

How likely is it McLaren have a perfect weekend after the chaos of the last two races? It feels like a longshot. Even so, Norris has the pace to at least finish on the podium and wrap up the title in dramatic fashion.

Piastri hasn’t finished higher than sixth in Abu Dhabi and has only one podium finish in the last seven races. It most likely comes down to Verstappen and Norris, with Antonelli and Russell playing a vital role in Verstappen’s title charge.

Russell has only finished outside the top six once in the last 11 races. He hasn’t qualified outside the top six since Monaco.