F1 news LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quicker than Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi second practice

The official online game of Components One has had a go at predicting the result of essentially the most thrilling title races in years.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are tied on factors heading into the ultimate race of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 2 have gone wheel to wheel all season lengthy with followers thrilled by the drama on and off the observe.

All of it comes right down to Sunday’s race with F1 2021 simulating a model to offer some concept of what could unfold.

They predict that Verstappen will take pole place in qualifying earlier than dominating the race.

With few alternatives to overhaul on the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton is pressured to accept second with Verstappen’s Purple Bull teammate Sergio Perez coming house third.

Mercedes do win the constructors’ title, nevertheless, in a small comfort to the seven-time world champion.

The primary dialogue level forward of the Abu Dhabi race is that if Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton will intentionally crash as a way to win the F1 title.

Race director Michael Masi has warned the drivers there might be penalties if it occurs and Hamilton has spoken concerning the warning.

He mentioned: “It’s occurred up to now clearly, and I’m certain the stewards hadn’t taken the precautions they’ve this time round.

“I feel that’s truthful that they do it, and hopefully, they gained’t must be used, and we have now an incredible race and transfer ahead.

“I don’t actually have an opinion about it in any other case, I’m right here to do my job and don’t actually need to see the stewards they usually don’t need to see me.”

It was a effective day for Yuki Tsunoda and Honda within the two observe classes – he’ll very a lot be hoping to maintain that up tomorrow, significantly in qualifying.

The identical can’t fairly be mentioned for Kimi Raikkonen after he took a little bit of a success on the Yas Marina Circuit.

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There might be a number of ‘lasts’ on Sunday with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas’ partnership considered one of them.

The Finn is off to Alfa Romeo subsequent season with George Russell arriving to be Hamilton’s subsequent Mercedes teammate.

Purple Bull chief Christian Horner admits the F1 title might be difficult for Verstappen to win however he believes he can do it.

The Dutchman is on equal factors with Hamilton however recorded the quickest lap in P1.

Horner advised Sky: “We completely imagine. We’ve another shot. Lewis has the shape in the mean time, he has gained the final three. However we imagine.

“We’ve to dig deep and attempt to beat Lewis this weekend.

“Max has come below a variety of scrutiny and pressures. The way in which he has handled that he has proven such psychological resilience to take care of that. We’re tremendously happy with him.”

Valtteri Bottas has mentioned he’ll help Lewis Hamilton in his bid to safe his eighth world title.

Bottas, who has simply hit the barrier within the second observe, will depart Mercedes on the finish of the season however has pledged he’ll do all he can for his team-mate.

He mentioned: “Lewis doesn’t truly must win the race; he wants to complete forward of Max, that’s the way it goes.

“I’m keen to play it as a crew, as a result of I secured my third place, so long as we will get the Constructors’ then I’d fairly have my team-mate win than the opposition.

“It should rely on the scenario, however he has bought my help.”

Forward of what guarantees to be an exciting and acrimonious championship-deciding race in Abu Dhabi, Toto Wolff and Christian Horner shook fingers at their remaining press convention and wished each other luck.

The Mercedes and Purple Bull crew principals have engaged in a disagreement for a lot of the Components One season as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have duelled and clashed.

The 2 drivers head into Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix degree on 369.5 factors after a controversial race in Saudi Arabia, the place Hamilton and Verstappen’s rivalry boiled over after earlier crashes at Monza and Silverstone.

There was hypothesis over the potential of one other crash, with Verstappen set to clinch the title if each drivers fail to complete the race, nevertheless, each Wolff and Horner put their variations apart forward of the title decider.

“Good luck. Might one of the best man and one of the best crew win,” Wolff mentioned to Horner at a joint press convention. “This one is only a fierce combat between groups and drivers which have finished a extremely nice job, however, generally within the races [Max and Lewis] have been 45 seconds up the street lapping virtually the entire discipline.

“It exhibits that the push that each one of us have finished as a way to win this can be a degree that actually in my years at Mercedes is unprecedented.”

Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen has been on the receiving finish of a story which has been pushed to counsel the Dutchman is a harmful racer – claiming Lewis Hamilton has used “each software out there” to heap stress on his title rival.

The Purple Bull driver goes into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday locked degree on factors with reigning champion Hamilton.

Sunday’s race on the Yas Marina Circuit, due to this fact, is the battleground the place the 2021 championship might be determined – though by advantage of successful extra races this season, Verstappen would take the crown if neither driver finishes.

Verstappen’s driving type has been broadly criticised, together with by Hamilton, who labelled his rival “f****** loopy” after an incident on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix final weekend.

The modified observe on the Yas Marina Circuit has one intriguing knock-on impact within the eyes of Mercedes racer Valtteri Bottas: extra probabilities to overhaul rivals.

That would properly play a component for himself and the title race particularly if he manages to get forward of Max Verstappen sooner or later, because the leaders of the constructor standings look to overtake Purple Bull within the driver standings, too.

“Sure, you understand, that part is a bit quicker now, and the observe nonetheless feels that off-line it’s a bit soiled, a bit dusty, so I feel I went a bit too large on the kerbs earlier than that nook… and I paid for it. However fortunately, no injury – it was a pleasant drift,” he mentioned.

“I imply it was good to get a really feel of the modified structure and it undoubtedly feels a bit nicer than earlier than, like, the observe has a bit extra movement, I’d say some elevated overtaking alternatives.”