Lewis Hamilton vs. Max Verstappen Prediction: Formula 1 Drivers Championship Comes Down to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

For the first time since 1974, the top two drivers in the standings are tied heading into the final race of the Formula 1 season. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are sitting atop the leaderboard at 369.5 points each.

This weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will determine who will win the 2021 Drivers Championship.

Currently, Hamilton is the -200 (bet $200 to profit $100) favorite at WynnBET to win the race and Verstappen is predictably second on the odds list +200. To see the full list of odds to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, check out our odds article.

Who Will Win the 2021 Formula 1 Drivers Championship?

Lewis may be the favorite to win the race, but don't forget, it's not necessarily going to be about who wins the race. Whichever of the two drivers record more points, will be declared the winner. That means that one driver could finish fifth, and the other driver finish seventh, and that'd be enough to award the driver that finished fifth the Drivers Championship. No other driver in Formula 1 will be able to catch Hamilton or Verstappen by winning the race.

Another added twist, is that if neither driver can finish the race due to a crash or malfunction with the car, Verstappen will be awarded the Drivers Championship due to have one more win (nine) this season compared to Hamilton (eight).

Prediction: Max Verstappen

That final point is an important one. Given the bad blood and ever-growing rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen and Mercedes and Red Bull, I would not be shocked if Verstappen "accidentally" knocks Hamilton out of the race if he's in a position to lose down the stretch.

Hamilton may be favored to win the race, but I think Verstappen will do whatever it takes to win his first Drivers Championship.