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Formula 1: Sunday's presentation on RDS Direct for the last GP of the season, in Abu Dhabi

Formula 1: Sunday’s presentation on RDS Direct for the last GP of the season, in Abu Dhabi

Follow the latest test of this unique F1 Championship on RDS and RDS live From 7:30 on Sunday morning.

Another surprise! We were expecting Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), second in qualifying, it’s Max Verstappen (Red Bull), his tied rival for the Formula 1 World Championship, who will drive the last Grand Prix of the season, in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

At stake is for the 24-year-old Dutchman a first world title, and for the 36-year-old Briton, an eighth crown and a record, with more crowns than Germany’s Michael Schumacher.

The equation that will separate them is written as follows: whoever scores the most points will be the champion, but if the two points tie, Verstappen will be named thanks to the most wins this season (9 vs 8).

To get the same number of points, one has to rank ninth and rank tenth with the best roll, thus adding two units each to a total of 369.5 points, or not scoring either. , by finishing off the top. -10 or retired.

However, in light of the increasingly fierce confrontations, a collision cannot be ruled out, even if we are assured by Red Bull that we do not want to win in this way.

Also among the constructors, the title will be played at sunset on Sunday, 5pm local time, between the German and Austrian teams. Mercedes has an advantage here with a 28-point difference and a maximum of 44 points is still available.

In addition, Russian driver Nikita Mazepin will not start the Grand Prix due to a positive COVID-19 test. It will not be replaced in the starting grid.

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different strategies

He fell to 371/1000 behind Verstappen in qualifying on Saturday, and Hamilton may regret not using his teammate to offer him ambition, which Red Bull did. But the Dutchman in particular made a “fantastic turn. We couldn’t answer”, assures the Englishman.

His opponent commented: “Obviously we improved the car in qualifying because until then, it was like that.” “I’m very happy. It’s what we wanted but it’s never easy, especially with (Mercedes’s) form in the last races. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow, that’s where you play!”

Specifically, nothing is over yet. The two competitors won’t start on the same tyres, which promises two different strategies. Verstappen should start better thanks to his soft tyres but will degrade faster than Hamilton’s average.

“We’re in good shape with our tires,” the Briton thought, booed by part of the audience. “I hope we have a good race.”

“I was satisfied with every type of tire during the test,” replied the Dutchman. “It’s a bit cooler (in the late afternoon) so the softer gums should handle better. Getting off to a good start will be very important. Then we will try our best again and see where we end up.”

in history

Whatever the outcome, it will go down in history, like one of the most mysterious seasons: two drivers tied for the lead, it only happened once, in 1974.

In the best place to benefit from the final explanation but a little “nervous” at the idea of ​​getting involved, Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) was placed third in qualifying.

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Mexico’s Sergio Perez’s Red Bull team is fourth while Finland’s Valtteri Bottas is only sixth, giving the bulls more strategic options and little hope for the constructors.

At the last Grand Prix, Finn Kimi Raikkonen (Alfa Romeo), who is retiring after 19 seasons since 2001 and his title with Ferrari in 2007, will be ranked 18th on the grid.

The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi was a private Mercedes reserve between 2014 and 2019, taking six driving positions and six victories. But in 2020, Verstappen stunned by taking first place and winning.

An element of uncertainty has been added this year: the track has been modified to be faster and more convenient for overtaking (even if this last statement has not been verified), it is difficult to know which strategy will be the best from now on.