F1 Tips:
Overall Qualification Winner – Ferrari
#WhatOddsPaddy – Red Bull to Win the Race & Charles Leclerc to Finish on the Podium
Top 10 Finish – Alex Albon
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
It started in farcical fashion but the Las Vegas Grand Prix provided some decent action as Max Verstappen won yet another race, Charles Leclerc endured more hard luck, while Sergio Perez secured second place in the drivers’ standings.
The Formula 1 roadshow crosses the world to the Middle East for the final race of the 2023 season and the fight for minor placings in the drivers’ and constructors’ championship is really all that’s left to play for.
There is a four-way fight between Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc for fourth place, while Mercedes lead Ferrari by just four points in the team battle for second, which means there should be some tasty racing.
I’ve run the rule over Paddy Power’s odds for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and picked out a few fine fancies. So, for the last time this year, let’s get to it!
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Qualifying: Saturday 2pm
Race: Sunday 1pm
TV: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports F1
Overall Qualification Winner – Ferrari
I successfully tipped Ferrari to come out on top in qualifying for last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix and I’m backing the Scuderia to repeat the feat in Abu Dhabi.
They would have locked out the front row in Sin City had Carlos Sainz not been hit with the most unfair penalty in recent memory – and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they achieve a 1-2 here.
Ferrari have been the best team in qualification since the mid-season break, securing pole in five of the nine races. Charles Leclerc has been particularly good over one lap in recent weeks, bagging three of the last four poles.
As well as their recent good form, the track layout – a combination of high-speed straights and slow corners – suits the SF-23 down to the ground.
#WhatOddsPaddy – Red Bull to Win the Race & Charles Leclerc to Finish on the Podium
If you’re a regular reader of this column then you’ll be getting a sense of déjà vu. I successfully tipped this #WhatOddsPaddy punt in Las Vegas and I’m doubling down on history repeating.
As good as the Ferrari is in qualifying trim, the Red Bull is the superior race car – and Max Verstappen is at one RB19. The Dutchman has won the last three editions of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and should be able to scoot clear even if he’s not starting on the front row.
As for Sergio Perez, a bit too much rear wing cost him victory in Las Vegas but the way in which he carved through the field in the opening half of the race suggests his confidence is back. He should be in the mix.
Charles Leclerc has twice finished on the Abu Dhabi podium and is in great form so a top-three finish is on the cards, although he will need to be on his game as McLaren and Mercedes should perform better than they did last weekend.
Top 10 Finish – Alex Albon
A general rule of thumb for the last two editions of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – since the Yas Marina Circuit was modified – is that starting 10th or higher on the grid is likely to result in a points finish.
Alex Albon has reached Q3 on seven occasions this year and his qualifying appearances earlier in the season in Canada and Austria – tracks that share some similarities with Yas Marina – makes me think a successful Saturday could lead to a point-scoring Sunday.
A good defence is among Albon’s qualities and the lack of tyre degradation should ensure he can keep his Williams in the thick of the top-10 battle if he qualifies well.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Tips:
Overall Qualification Winner – Ferrari
#WhatOddsPaddy – Red Bull to Win the Race & Charles Leclerc to Finish on the Podium
Top 10 Finish – Alex Albon
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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