Max Verstappen is your 2021 Formula 1 world champion. It wasn’t without drama, excitement, controversy and strategy: In the end, it came down to the final lap after a controversial restart following a wreck in the late stages of the race.
The pair are expected to duel throughout the race at a circuit that has undergone plenty of changes to promote greater overtaking opportunities. Red Bull superstar Verstappen – in the hunt for his first world title – will be determined to make the most of his opportunity to seize glory against Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton.
| How to watch 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live | |
|---|---|
| Venue: | Abu Dhabi Hill – Yas Marina Circuit |
| Start Time: | December 12, 2021, 7:00 AM CST |
| Broadcast: | ESPN, ABC, Sky Sports, F1 |
| Live Stream: | Watch Here |
It was a fitting end to a season that saw the two contenders go wheel-to-wheel over 22 races spanning four continents and arrive in Abu Dhabi tied in the championship standings. It marked the first time the contenders were level going into the season finale since 1974.
When is the abu dhabi grand prix?
One of the most compelling years in the history of F1 went to the wire as Red Bull’s Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit level on 369.5 points. Verstappen earned a dominant pole in qualifying on Saturday, before clinching the world title with victory in the race on Sunday.
Verstappen looked out of the season-ending race at various points but, after a safety car came on to deal with a Nicholas Latifi crash, he was given a reprieve. He changed his tyres during the delay and, after lapped cars were allowed to clear the safety car, he and leader Hamilton had a final-lap race in which the Dutchman prevailed.
Where will the abu dhabi grand prix 2021 be held?
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021) was a Formula One motor race held on 12 December 2021 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The race was the twenty-second and final round of the 2021 Formula One World Championship.
MAX VERSTAPPEN. WORLD CHAMPION!!!
A stunning season by an extraordinary talent#HistoryMade #F1 @Max33Verstappen pic.twitter.com/FxT9W69xJe
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
How exciting and significant is the upcoming Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
DC: People are getting switched on to Formula 1. Everyone is a winner this season because Formula 1 is no longer the best kept secret out there. It’s a wonderful, glorious sport, that more and more people are switched on to.
LAP 29/58
Kimi is out ?
His final F1 race finishes early with reported brake issues – and he's back in the garage #AbuDhabiGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/w1uBe1UbIV
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
I’ve said quite consistently, I think it’ll go down to the wire. I wouldn’t like for one second to imagine how Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton are feeling. I hope that between Jeddah and Abu Dhabi they found some time to be where they want to be, relaxing or preparing in the way they want to prepare, getting away from the constant speculation and getting their heads straight for what is going to be a very intense weekend and a very intense Grand Prix.
I want them to be at the top of their game on Sunday because they’ve been at the top of their game all season long. They’ve given us an absolute treat. Is it wrong to ask for more? I feel like Oliver Twist. It’s nearly Christmas. Please can we have some more!
Lewis Hamilton has been champion since the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix. On race day in Abu Dhabi, just before ‘lights out’ he will have been world champion for 1506 days. He is not going to give that up lightly.
Max Verstappen has been dreaming of this moment for his entire life. He is not going to give up the lead that he has held in the championship for the majority of this season lightly.
He has led the championship after 14 of the last 17 rounds. He’s going to cling on to that and do all he can to become champion. This is intense. It’s highly emotive. It is everything we want in our top class sport. I feel lucky and privileged to be able to be standing in the commentary box alongside Martin Brundle giving what we hope will be the best commentary of our lives on Sky Sports F1.
What TV Channel will the abu dhabi grand prix be on?
Satellite TV: Sky Sports will air the race live on their Main Event, Showcase and F1 channels, with coverage beginning at 11.30am on Sunday. Free-to-air: Channel 4 will air the race live on terrestrial television, with coverage beginning at 12pm on Sunday.
Free F1 live stream: where can you watch Abu Dhabi GP for free
The deciding race of the season is also one of the simplest to watch, with an array of free options all over the globe.
UK – Channel 4
The free-to-air broadcaster is simultaneously broadcasting Sky Sport’s coverage of the race free of charge, including commentary.
Netherlands – Ziggo Sport
Dutch F1 fans are also in luck, as Ziggo Sport is also broadcasting live for free. Although, like Channel 4 in the UK, it looks like only the race will be shown (no practice sessions or qualifying).
French speakers in Canada will also be able to watch for free on RDS, and Swiss F1 fans can watch on the RTS Network.
How to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: live stream F1 in the UK
While Sky Sports has held the rights to F1 this season, thanks to the fact Brit Lewis Hamilton has the title on the line in the deciding Abu Dhabi GP, the free-to-air Channel 4 has snagged a live broadcast.
That means that anyone in the UK can watch the Abu Dhabi GP live for free, complete with Sky Sports F1 commentary – how generous! On Sunday, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix itself starts at 12.55pm with Channel 4’s coverage starting at noon.
You can expect to also see the race broadcast on the network’s All 4 streaming service, which is available via web browser, iOS and Android apps, Chromecast, PS4, Xbox One, Roku, Amazon Fire, Sky and Virgin Media boxes, and most Smart TVs.
If you’re already a Sky Sports customer – or if you also want to watch the practices and qualifiers – you’ll of course be able to watch on the dedicated Sky F1 channel.
F1 live stream: how to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the US
In the US, it’s ESPN that’s providing comprehensive coverage of the 2021 F1 season, and it’s showing the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live – as well as the all-important Qualifying and practice sessions.
If you have it as part of a cable package, you’ll be able to stream the action directly through the ESPN website.
Stream F1 live without cable
Cord-cutters are in luck, too, as you can get ESPN without having an expensive cable package. For the last two races of the year, for example, the network is showing the race through its ESPN Plus streaming service with prices starting at $6.99 a month.
Alternatively, Sling TV’s Sling Orange package features ESPN channels for just $35 a month – save big with the latest Sling TV deal where you can get your first month for a mere $10!
Alternatively, fuboTV is an even more complete end-to-end cable replacement service, which offers ESPN and over 120 other channels on plans starting from $64.99 a month.
And, as described above, you may prefer to give F1 TV and its free trial a go if all you really care about is the world’s premier motor sport.
How to watch the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP: live stream F1 in Canada
As well as the official F1 TV service (as described above), you can watch the Abu Dhabi GP and all other 2021 F1 action on English-language TSN or French-language RDS – but they’re premium channels that typically come with a pay TV package.
If you get them as part of your cable deal, then you’ll just be able to log in with the details of your provider and get access to an F1 live stream.
If you don’t have cable, you’ll be well-served by their digital platforms. The TSN Direct and RDS Direct streaming services cost just CA$4.99 a day or (much better value) $19.99 a month.
However, the Abu Dhabi F1 will be available for free on RDS this weekend. All you need to do is head over to the website and start the Abu Dhabi F1 live stream – no subscription necessary.
