F1 LIVE | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Verstappen v Hamilton title showdown

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is all about the championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Both men are on an equal number of points in the world championship, so everything comes down to Sunday afternoon's race around the Yas Marina Circuit. 

LIVEBLOG | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021

Verstappen starts from pole position at the GP. The Dutchman was a lot faster in qualifying than Hamilton who starts the race in second place. However, the Briton has the advantage of starting on the medium tyre, while Verstappen has to start with the softest compound on his car. It will mean that both teams will have to use a different strategy.

The Abu Dhabi circuit seems to have the advantage of the German team. This is mainly due to the second sector, where two long straights give Mercedes the opportunity to make use of the faster engine. Verstappen showed during qualifying, however, that he is not without a chance, which promises to make for a thrilling final battle.

Should Verstappen manage to stay ahead of Hamilton it would mean his first world title in Formula 1. For Hamilton, it is a different story though, as the Briton has the opportunity to win his eighth world title. That would take the record from Michael Schumacher, who never won more than seven world championships.