Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Betting Tips & Preview – Sunday 26th November 2017

The curtain comes down on the 2017 Formula 1 season this weekend, with the final race taking place Abu Dhabi. Lewis Hamilton heads here as champion, having wrapped up the title already. He suffered heartbreak at this circuit last year as he won but still lost the championship, but there’s no chance of that happening this time around. However, will the Mercedes driver maintain his intensity without that pressure on his shoulders?

Hamilton hasn’t won either of the last two races, with two low finishes. Not only did he miss out on the top three in his last two outings, but he claimed just 14 points from a possible 50. None of that really matters after the season he’s enjoyed, but that does make it unlikely that the Brit will secure maximum points this weekend. Just who could be in line to finish at the top of the podium in Abu Dhabi?

Tips and Predictions

While there are there some doubts about Hamilton’s motivations here, he’s still the odds-on favourite for the win. He can be backed at 5/6 with Betfair ahead of the race in Abu Dhabi, far clear of the field. He’s followed by Sebastian Vettel at 13/5 with Betfair with the rest a lot further behind. If you’re backing against Hamilton and Vettel, then there’s certainly value available here. The Germans’ win last weekend was his first in eight races, and he’s not won back to back Grands Prix all season, despite his improved displays.

After the top two drivers in the standings, the third highest number of victories by any driver this season is just two. Valtteri Bottas has a couple of victories to his name, which were his first in F1. It’s fair to say that he’s improved over the course of his season with Mercedes, and he’ll take confidence from the fact that his team have won the last three renewals at this circuit, landing a 1-2 in both 2015 and 2016. The Finnish driver picked up pole position in Brazil last week, and we’re backing him to win here. Given that he’s priced at 6/1 with Ladbrokes, we think he’s worth a bet.

Past Winners

• 2016 - Lewis Hamilton won, with Nico Rosberg second
• 2015 - Nico Rosberg won, with Lewis Hamilton second
• 2014 - Lewis Hamilton won, with Felipe Massa second
• 2013 - Sebastian Vettel won, with Mark Webber second
• 2012 - Kimi Raikkonen won, with Fernando Alonso second

Other Bets and Odds

With Hamilton struggling for top three finishes, and that leaves open a potential place here. That should leave a gap for the man who finished fourth at this race last season. Max Verstappen has picked up both of his victories this season in his last five races, managing a second placed finish in that time as well. The talented Dutchman feels like great value to finish in the top three in the season finale, given that he’s 6/5 with Coral to make the podium.