The 2024 Formula 1 season will come to a dramatic close this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where the Constructors' Championship title is still up for grabs. McLaren currently leads Ferrari by 21 points, with 44 points available in Sunday’s race at the Yas Marina Circuit.
McLaren is aiming for its first Constructors’ Championship win in 26 years, while Ferrari hasn’t claimed the title since 2008. Both teams are pushing hard for success, making this seasonending race crucial for their longawaited championship hopes.
Betting Odds for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
As the season finale approaches, the betting odds for the race are already out. Max Verstappen is favored to win at 9/4, with Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc both at 9/4. Other drivers such as George Russell (8/1) and Oscar Piastri (8/1) also have good odds, while Sergio Perez, Guanyu Zhou, and others are longer shots at 500/1.
Drivers' Championship Battle
While Max Verstappen has already secured his championship, the race for the runner up spot is still intense. Lando Norris is just eight points behind Charles Leclerc, making the battle for second place in the Drivers' Championship another storyline to follow in Abu Dhabi.
Further down the order, Alpine holds a narrow five point advantage over Haas in the fight for sixth place in the Constructors' Championship. This spot is important as millions of dollars are at stake, making it a key point of contention during the final race.
Jack Doohan to Debut for Alpine
In other news, Jack Doohan will make his Formula 1 debut for Alpine in Abu Dhabi, following Esteban Ocon’s early departure from the team after the Qatar Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Farewell
As the season wraps up, Mercedes will bid farewell to seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton after his 12 seasons with the team. Hamilton is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.
F2 and F1 Academy Finals
The F2 Championship will also come to a close, with Gabriel Bortoleto leading Isack Hadjar by just half a point. Meanwhile, the F1 Academy season will conclude, and Britain’s Abbi Pulling will look to finish strong after a successful season.
Abu Dhabi GP Schedule
The weekend schedule for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is packed, starting with practice sessions on Friday, December 6, and concluding with the race on Sunday, December 8. The key times are as follows:
Thursday, December 5:
11:00 am: Drivers' Press Conference
Friday, December 6:
5:45 am: F1 Academy Practice One
7:00 am: F2 Practice
9:30 am: Abu Dhabi GP Practice One
12:45 pm: Abu Dhabi GP Practice Two
3:15 pm: The F1 Show
Saturday, December 7:
10:30 am: Abu Dhabi GP Practice Three
2:00 pm: Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying
4:00 pm: F1 Academy Race One
Sunday, December 8:
7:20 am: F1 Academy Race Two
9:20 am: F2 Feature Race
1:00 pm: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
How to Watch the Abu Dhabi GP
Fans across the globe can tune in to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix through various streaming services and TV channels:
USA: ESPN+, Fubo, Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV, F1 TV
Canada: TSN Direct, RDS / Noovo (French)
TV Channels:
USA: ESPN
Canada: TSN (English)
With so many storylines to follow, including the Constructors' Championship, Drivers' Championship positions, and the thrilling F2 and F1 Academy finals, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2024 Formula 1 season.
