2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: F1 Odds And Predictions Ahead Of Raceday

2022, you’ve been quite the ride. The 2022 Formula One season has brought with it new cars, new regulations, a solid mixture of returning classic tracks, and a smattering of new glimpses into the future of the sport. It has also seen a changing of the guard at the top end of the time sheets, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen setting the record for the most wins in an F1 season across 2022. But, last week’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix showed that all is not well in the Red Bull camp. Elsewhere, Mercedes delivered their first win of the season, Ferrari served up another classic and Haas finally looked like rockstars again with their first Pole Position. 

With the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set to be the final chapter in some heavy-hitting careers, and plenty of storylines still left to be decided, check out SinkorSwimSports for our race day preview, with all the latest F1 odds and predictions you need to be following! 

It feels like all of this F1 season has been spent treading over and trying to move on from the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Max Verstappen’s controversial win denied Lewis Hamilton an eighth world championship, but that dramatic final lap was just the final point in what was a hugely enthralling race. 

Sergio Perez’s stellar defense to back Hamilton up was one of the best acts of teamwork we’ve seen, and the Mexican driver’s selfless acts have been instrumental in getting Verstappen to the top of the 2022 F1 Driver and Constructor standings. That was until last week’s race at Interlagos, at least. 

With the Mexican level on points with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the hunt for P2 in the standings, Red Bull asked Verstappen to let Perez by on the final lap of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, which the Dutchman refused to do. Verstappen cited he ‘had his reasons’ and that the team shouldn’t ask those things of him, meaning Red Bull’s dynamics in 2023 could be quite the watch.

Elsewhere, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton delivered the first British 1-2 since the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix at Interlagos, delivering the first win for Mercedes in 2022. Full attention will now turn to whether or not Hamilton can build on three consecutive 2nd place finishes and avoid a first winless season in his career. 

When Is The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? 

The final weekend of the 2022 Formula One season will kick off on Friday 18th November with FP1 and FP2 taking place at 14:00-15:00 GST (10:00-11:00 GMT) and 17:00-18:00 (13:00-14:00). 

FP3 and Qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be on Saturday 19th November from 14:30-15:30 (10:30-11:30) and 18:00 (14:00). 

The 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be on Sunday 20th November with lights out set for 17:00 (13:00). 

What Is The Weather Forecast For The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

FP1 And FP2 Weather

Minimum temperature expected: 21 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 32 Celsius

Chance of rain: 0%

FP3 And Qualifying Weather

Minimum temperature expected: 21 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 32 Celsius

Chance of rain: 0%

Race Weather

Minimum temperature expected: 21 Celsius

Maximum temperature expected: 31 Celsius

Chance of rain: 0%

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Predictions And Latest F1 Odds

The last race of the season is always a tough one to predict, with the teams and drivers not having to worry anymore about preserving parts of playing the long strategic game. All eyes will be on Leclerc and Perez in the battle for P2, but it’s hard to look past the pace the Mercedes has finally begun to show over the past few rounds. 

The long straight out of Turn 7 is where the bulk of overtakes will occur, which should favor the Red Bull and its prolific straight-line speed. But the rest of the track is a smattering of tight turns that require a nimble car, which could bring the Ferraris and Mercedes back into contention.

Despite his teammate potentially needing a hand from him, Max Verstappen is the favorite in our latest F1 odds at BetUS with a price of +225. 2021 rival Lewis Hamilton is behind at +350, with George Russell, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez all available at +450, +1100, and +1300 respectively. 

We’ve backed Hamilton a few times this season, but we really, really, really think this could be the moment where he takes advantage of the chaos around him and picks up that maiden win of the season.