Mercedes and Red Bull are also competing for the constructors’ title. The German team is a favorite with 28 points of advantage and a maximum of 44 available.
Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) achieved pole position in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this Saturday, the last of the season, ahead of Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), his rival in the fight for the title, with both tied at points, before the final race.
Whoever scores the most points on Sunday will be the champion. But if they finish tied (if one is ninth and the other tenth with the best lap, that is two points each, or neither marks, finishing outside the Top 10 or leaving), Verstappen will be crowned thanks to that greater number of victories.
Mercedes and Red Bull are also competing for the constructors’ title. The German team is a favorite with 28 points of advantage and a maximum of 44 available.
The British Lando Norris (McLaren) took the third position in the qualifications, ahead of the second Bull, the Mexican Sergio Pérez.
The Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) and the second Mercedes, of the Finn Valtteri Bottas, sixth only, will launch on the third row on Sunday (08:00 from Ecuador).
Rounding out the Top 10 are the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), the Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and the Australian Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren).
The Yas Marina circuit was a private preserve of Mercedes between 2014 and 2019, with six poles and six victories. But in 2020, Verstappen gave the surprise by taking first place on the grid and at the finish line.
An element of uncertainty is added this year: the track was modified to be faster and more conducive to overtaking.
The F1 caravan will bid farewell to Finn Kimi Räikkönen (Alfa Romeo), who has retired after 19 seasons, since 2001, and a world title with Ferrari in 2007. The Finn will start eighteenth on the starting grid. (D)
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