Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Verstappen fancied to come out on top

After 20 rounds of Formula One racing, we are now down to the final Grand Prix of the calendar in Abu Dhabi.

The title was wrapped up seemingly ages ago by Lewis Hamilton, but there was still plenty of drama last time out in Brazil as Max Verstappen took the win in Interlagos. Will the season finale end with a top-quality race? We preview the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

All on Hamilton for Mercedes

To say Mercedes have been dominant at Abu Dhabi is an understatement. For the last five years they have turned pole positions into race wins, but they will have it all to do this weekend with their hopes purely relying on six-time world champion Hamilton, barring a miraculous turn of events.

That is all due to Valtteri Bottas’ engine failure in Brazil, meaning he will start the race from the back of the grid.

Hamilton will obviously be looking to round the season off in style, and he is the 5/4 favourite to win in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen to end the season on a high?

The young Red Bull driver reigned supreme last time out in Brazil and certainly did it the hard way – passing Hamilton not once, but twice on his way to victory in Interlagos.

That victory was his third of the season and moved him above Charles Leclerc into third in the Driver Standings as a result, and if he was to better the result of the Ferrari driver in Abu Dhabi then it would have been a good season for the Dutchman, and a career best showing.

While he has yet to win in Abu Dhabi from his previous four visits to the Yas Marina circuit, he has not been out of the top five in his last three outings, including a third-place finish last season.

Verstappen is 10/3 to win in Abu Dhabi and make it back-to-back successes to end the season in fine form – and with third place in the Driver Standings at stake, the Dutchman is fancied to come out on top.

Albon to rain on Mercedes’ parade

Had it not been for his late crash with Lewis Hamilton in Brazil, Alexander Albon would have been on course for another great finish.

The young Thailand driver regularly has been in the top six since his mid-season switch from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, and he will be doing his utmost to ensure he ends the season in some style. With Bottas’ issues, he looks good value at 9/2 for a podium place.

Check out all the latest Formula One betting odds at William Hill