2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Predictions & Preview

The final race of the 2023 F1 season goes down this Sunday, November 26, meaning it’s time to prepare your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions. 

Max Verstappen heads into the season finale on a six-race winning streak, so the reigning champion will be looking to end the year on a high note. However, several drivers will be eager to spoil Verstappen’s party. 

Before I reveal my 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions and picks, let’s recap last weekend’s race. It’s fair to say that the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix dished up plenty of talking points. 

What Happened in Las Vegas Last Weekend? 

When a water valve cover came loose on the Strip just eight minutes into the opening practice session last week, it set the tone for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. Not only did the cover cause severe damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari, but it also caused lengthy delays to the schedule. 

In terms of the race itself, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured pole position, but a familiar story unfolded over the course of the 50 laps. Unsurprisingly, Verstappen took the chequered flag in Sin City, registering his 18th victory of the season. 

Leclerc ended up finishing second, with Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, claiming the third and final podium spot. Meanwhile, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished fourth and fifth, respectively. 

Unfortunately, there were DNFs for Lando Norris, Niko Hulkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda in Vegas. Norris was involved in a high-impact crash on the third lap of the race, having notched seven podium finishes in 11 outings prior to last weekend. 

Previewing the 2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 

The 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend. Practice is scheduled for Friday, while qualifying is slated for Saturday. The main event will go down at 17:00 (local time) on Sunday. 

Drivers must complete 58 laps of the iconic Yas Marina Circuit, which measures 3.281 miles (5.281 kilometers). Boasting 16 corners and several lengthy straights, the Yas Marina Circuit invariably produces an exciting race. 

Before we dive into my Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions, let’s see what the bookies make of the final race of the season. 

2023 F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX OUTRIGHT ODDS 

• Max Verstappen (-400) 
• Lando Norris (+1200) 
• Sergio Perez (+1400) 
• Charles Leclerc (+1600) 
• Lewis Hamilton (+1600) 
• Carlos Sainz (+2200) 
• George Russell (+2200) 
• Oscar Piastri (+2500) 
• Fernando Alonso (+5000) 
• Esteban Ocon (+25000) 
• Lance Stroll (+25000) 
• Pierre Gasly (+25000) 
• Alex Albon (+50000) 
• Daniel Ricciardo (+50000) 
• Guanyu Zhou (+50000) 
• Kevin Magnussen (+50000) 
• Logan Sargeant (+50000) 
• Nico Hulkenberg (+50000) 
• Valtteri Bottas (+50000) 
• Yuki Tsunoda (+50000) 

As expected, Verstappen enters the final race of 2023 as the bookies’ overwhelming favorite. The reigning champ has arguably produced the most dominant season in F1 history, winning 18 of the 21 races this year. 

There is very little to separate Norris, Perez, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who are all priced between +1200 and +1600. Sainz, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso are the only other drivers priced under +25000. 

2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Predictions 

Are you ready for my 2023 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions and picks? Having recapped the Las Vegas GP and previewed the upcoming race, I’m confident that we can land a tasty profit this weekend. 

My Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions concern the race winner, the podium and the top 10. There are no prizes for guessing which driver I’m backing to take the chequered flag, but my other picks may surprise some of you. 

Without further ado, here are my Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions. It’s been a successful year for my F1 picks, so let’s finish the season in a similar manner. 

Max Verstappen to Win (-400) 

How many times have I backed Verstappen to win a Grand Prix this season? A lot. And how many times has the reigning champion delivered? Well, 18 times to be exact. 

Having won 86% of the races this year, the Red Bull superstar finds himself a whopping 276 points clear at the summit of the World Drivers’ Championship standings. Verstappen has already smashed the points record for an F1 season, and he looked destined to extend that record this weekend. 

Not only has the Dutchman won each of the last six races, but he has also won 16 of the previous 17. On top of that, Verstappen has won each of the past three races in Abu Dhabi. Need I say more? 

Charles Leclerc to Finish on the Podium (+162) 

Following an inconsistent run of results, Leclerc appears to have hit some form. After finishing third in Mexico last month, the Ferrari man finished just two seconds behind Verstappen in Las Vegas last weekend. 

It is also worth remembering that Leclerc secured pole position last time out, highlighting both his driving ability and the performance of his improved Ferrari. 

There is no hiding the fact that Leclerc has endured a below-par season, but the 26-year-old has still managed to notch five podium finishes. It could be argued that Leclerc is enjoying his best form right now, so I’m backing him to clinch a top-three finish this weekend. 

Lance Stroll to Finish in the Top 10 (-110) 

It’s fair to say that Lance Stroll has upped his game in 2023. Following a series of disappointing seasons, it finally feels like the Aston Martin driver belongs on the F1 grid. 

Stroll has registered 11 top-10 finishes in 21 races this year, underlining his progress. Thanks to impressive drives in Sao Paulo and Las Vegas, the Canadian heads into the final race on the back of successive P5 finishes. 

With that in mind, I recommend backing Stroll to finish in the top 10 on Sunday. The Aston Martin driver has proved his worth this season, making odds of -110 look very attractive. 

Finalize Your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Predictions 

What do you make of my Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions? I’m sure that you won’t argue with my pick for the race winner, but the other bets could spark some discussions. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve really enjoyed betting on F1 this year. Despite Verstappen’s total domination of the sport, there have been loads of exciting betting opportunities in various markets. 

With the final race of the season on the horizon, all you need to do is make your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix predictions, lock in your picks and enjoy the weekend’s action!