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Charles Leclerc (FRA), Scuderia Ferrari

How F1 qualifying for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix unfolded

 

Follow the final practice and qualifying sessions of the 2021 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The end is finally here as Formula 1’s spectacular 2021 season finally comes to an end this weekend at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. 

F1 title contenders Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are equal on points going into the finale where ultimately the race winner will be crowned champion. 

Mercedes looks set to win an astonishing eighth constructors’ championship in a row after Sergio Perez’s failure to finish at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Lap times are expected to be up to 14s quicker than last year due to several changes to the track layout in a bid to improve following and overtaking.

Outside of Mercedes and Red Bull, Ferrari has a substantial lead over McLaren in the race for third, while two strong races for Alpine has meant it has effectively secured fifth ahead of AlphaTauri.

Despite Alfa Romeo’s score with Antonio Giovinazzi in Jeddah, Williams is in the driving seat to finish eighth in the championship.

With the titles on the line, it’s set to be a dramatic weekend of action in Abu Dhabi.

Recent Abu Dhabi GP winners:

2020 - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2019 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2018 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)

Reporting by Connor McDonagh
Key Moments
14:22
Safety Car deployed! Red Bull pits Verstappen for some soft tyres surely...
13:44
Raikkonen is out of the race! Russell looks to have a problem as well. 
13:03
For the final time in 2021, it's lights out and away we go for the 2021...
13:00
The formation lap is now underway in Abu Dhabi!
12:48
Just over 10 minutes until lights out at the Yas Marina Circuit.
14:50
14:34

Max Verstappen has done it - he's the 2021 F1 world champion.

14:33

Verstappen leads the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix into Turn 4.

14:32

Here we go....

14:32

Lapped cars have overtaken and now the Safety Car is coming in... it's going to be a crazy final lap.

14:31

The order under the Safety Car is: Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Bottas, Tsunoda, Gasly, Norris, Alonso, Ocon and Leclerc.

14:29

Red Bull has retired Perez from the race! Wow. That hands Mercedes the constructors' title. 

14:29

Lapped cars are not allowed to overtake... so Verstappen has a few cars in between him and Verstappen.

14:28

So Hamilton leads (hards), Verstappen (softs), Sainz (hards), Bottas (hards), Tsunoda (softs).

14:22

Safety Car deployed! Red Bull pits Verstappen for some soft tyres surely.

14:22

Latifi has crashed in the final sector... 

14:21
14:19

Hamilton's lead is at 11.1s with seven laps to go.

14:16

Slow puncture for Norris - he's been forced to stop and rejoins in ninth.

14:15

10 laps to go - Hamilton ahead of Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Gasly, Alonso and Ocon.

14:09

The order on Lap 44: Hamilton, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Gasly, Alonso and Ocon.

14:06
14:04

The gap is 14.8s at the front of the field with 17 laps to go.

14:03

Lewis Hamilton reports: "Bit of a risk leaving me out, no?" - the gap is now 15.0s at the front.

14:00

Order after the VSC: Hamilton, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Norris, Bottas, Tsunoda, Alonso, Gasly and Ocon.