In what has been the most dramatic Formula One season in a long time and certainly the closest in a decade, it has all come down to the one final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This one race will decide who between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen will emerge as the winner. Both are greats in their own regards. While Hamilton is the reigning champion, a record seven-time winner and is already regarded as one of the all-time greats of the sport, Verstappen is relatively young and the fact that he has given Hamilton a run for his money is enough indication of his calibre.
If you are wondering where to catch the latest updates of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, you will find them right here. Welcome and fasten your seat belts in what is expected to be an exciting ride for fans and viewers as it is for the racers.
09:00 PM: That's it from here! Good night and stay tuned with SportsTiger for the latest sporting updates.
The final 2021 Driver Standings
Position | Driver | Team | Points |
1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda | 395.5 |
2 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 387.5 |
3 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 226 |
4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda | 190 |
5 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 164.5 |
6 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 160 |
7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 159 |
8 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren Mercedes | 115 |
9 | Pierre Gasly | Alphatauri Honda | 110 |
10 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine Renault | 81 |
11 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 74 |
12 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin Mercedes | 43 |
13 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Mercedes | 34 |
14 | Yuki Tsunoda | Alphatauri Honda | 32 |
15 | George Russell | Williams Mercedes | 16 |
16 | Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari | 10 |
17 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams Mercedes | 7 |
18 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari | 3 |
19 | Mick Schumacher | Haas Ferrari | 0 |
20 | Robert Kubica | Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari | 0 |
21 | Nikita Mazepin | Haas Ferrari | 0 |
08:10 PM: Mercedes still the better team
Not the double championship that Mercedes were looking for but they were still the better team. As far as the driver's championship is concerned, it's a moment of glory for Verstappen who will quite remember the final lap and would want to hold on to the winning moment for the rest of his life.
08:05 PM: Verstappen wins in dramatic fashion
Maiden championship title for the Red Bull Racing driver. It was all up to one racing lap where Verstappen ultimately won despite Hamilton leading for the majority of the race.
07:52 PM: Hamilton leads heading into lap 53 of 58
07:32 PM: Hamilton leads by over 16 seconds
An update from a few seconds ago-
07:30 PM- Lap 31: Bottas pits
Bottas pits from third which has left open a gap for Verstappen. One less thing to worry about for Verstappen.
07:11 PM: Hamilton with one hand at the championship at end of lap 24
06:55 PM: Verstappen takes pit stop followed by Hamilton
Hamilton second, Verstappen fourth at the moment
06:54 PM: Hamilton maintains lead till the start of lap 14/58
06:53 PM: Verstappen started first but its Hamilton in the lead
05:18 PM: Hamilton ready to give his all in pursuit of his eighth title
04:30 PM: Last race for Hamilton and Bottas as Mercedes teammates
03:45 PM: It's time, says Verstappen
03:40 PM: Not all about Max and Lewis- F1
03:25 PM: Verstappen with more race wins but Hamilton has the edge on recent form
It is worth highlighting that although Verstappen has more wins this season, Hamilton has the edge as far as recent form is concerned. Hamilton also seems to have the faster car of the two but Red Bull’s RB16B isn’t not that far away. All in all, it will be interesting battle this.
02:30 PM: Hamilton and Verstappen equal at 369.5 points
Both the Formula One drivers are currently equal on 369.5 points but the reality is that Verstappen has an advantage over Hamilton since he has won more races. While the Dutch has nine wins to his credit, the Briton has clinched eight races.