Live updates of the Formula 1 race, results, highlights from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lewis versus Max. ” Nuff said.

For the second time in Formula 1 history, drivers will enter the final race of the year top of the table, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 369.5 points.

This F1 season has been memorable, largely because of the battle between Lewis and Max. However, there is much else to be excited about with the arrival of young riders as the pillars of the future and Kimi Raikkonen’s farewell tour among them.

In many ways, it will turn off the lights in 2021 – and will soon turn off the lights into the season.

Sporting News is following live race updates and lap highlights from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix featuring Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Stay tuned for full results from the Formula 1 championship.

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Live Formula 1 updates, highlights from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

9:02 am: Verstappen is flying on new tyres. (Tire? Tire.) Set the fastest lap. We’ll see if Hamilton holds up.

8:57 am: Verstappen tested the VSC, and he chose a new set of hard tires. We’ll see if it works (probably not).

8:55 am: Looks like Alfa Romeo’s days are officially over: Antonio Giovinazzi’s car stalls on the side of the road and we see a virtual safety car.

8:50 am: Round 32 and Hamilton said he wasn’t sure the tires would last the race, and then went on to set up fastest lap after fastest lap. Have liver. (Or maybe just bait.)

8:48 am: George Russell Williams’ career also ended prematurely when he reported a brake problem and has now been dropped from the race. The remaining 17 drivers.

8:47 am: Verstappen and Red Bull are thinking about a second stop as the gap widens to 4.2 seconds. Calling for bravery, but Red Bull must bet if they want any hit to win this bout.

8:43 am: Kimi Raikkonen’s career ended prematurely: A brake problem forced Finn to join the DNF. Unfortunately.

8:34 am: Perez just won his 2021 Red Bull check: He held onto Hamilton and took him six seconds on a lap, allowing Verstappen to get right back into this race. Hamilton still had a clear pace, just about two seconds ahead of Verstappen.

8:30 a.m.: Verstappen is back in third and Hamilton remains in second behind Perez. Verstappen has a 12-second gap with Hamilton.

8:26 am: Verstappen’s only hope here is that Perez can try and slow Hamilton for Verstappen to get. The race could end soon.

8:23 am: Crazy Verstappen: He started on hard tires with 34 laps to go. Perez is now in second, and Verstappen comes out of the hole and is fourth. Hamilton will be pitted on the next lap.

8:21 am: Verstappen looks like he might be coming in for a tire change soon, as the lap is on lap 13.

8:18 am: Looks like Verstappen’s tires are completely shot now. He is now four seconds behind Hamilton for the lead and stretch.

8:15 am: Hamilton sets the fastest laps at the top. There is still some debate about the Round 1 breakdown between Verstappen and Hamilton: Verstappen stayed on the track, while Hamilton ran wide. It is difficult to say who is right and who is wrong, but there is no need to investigate. Very 50/50 there.

8:10 am: There was absolutely no advantage for Red Bull having suffered a soft tire early, with Hamilton setting up the fastest finish and easily opening the scoring ahead of second-placed Verstappen.

8:06 am: Bottas dropped to eighth after starting in sixth, with Verstappen and Perez Nos.2 and 3. Verstappen fell behind, with Hamilton leading 1 1/2 seconds early.

8:04 am: Verstappen and Hamilton touched, Hamilton headed but Verstappen had to return the blow. Early drama.

8:03 am: The lights go out and we go. Hamilton started great and he started pretty easily against Verstappen, and he took the lead.

8:00 am: The forming round is underway. Lights soon turn off.

7:55 am: Good morning, F1 fans. The last time in 2021, we’re about to turn off the lights. Nikita Mazepin will not be racing at the Abu Dhabi GP after reporting COVID-19 symptoms, and Haas will only drive one car for the race.

What time does the F1 race start today?

The 8am ET start time for Sunday’s race means the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will begin at 5pm local time. The lights out will probably happen as soon as 8am. ET. ESPN’s prerace program usually airs an hour before the race starts.

How to watch Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021

• Channel: ESPN2
• Direct: fuboTV, ESPN+

The ESPN network team will broadcast all of the 2021 F1 races in the US using a Sky Sports feed, with select races airing on ABC at the end of the season.

ESPN Deportes serves as the exclusive Spanish-speaking home for all 2021 F1 races in the US

Lewis Hamilton score vs. Max Verstappen

Not only are the two equal in points heading into the final race of the 2021 season, but their numbers leading up to this point are eerily similar.

In the rare event that both DNF drivers this Sunday, the championship will go to Verstappen, as he owns another victory over Hamilton in 2021.

Here’s how to analyze their head-to-head numbers:

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying results

Here is the complete F1 starting lineup for the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: