What will be one of the great Formula 1 season finales takes place this weekend, with championship rivals Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton going into the Abu Dhabi GP on completely equal points. Needless to say, after what has been an unprecedentedly tumultuous season, it’s a race you’re not going to want to miss. Here’s how you can watch the last showdown for the win this Sunday.
Where to watch the 2021 F1 finale
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Sky Sports F1
As usual, the paid-for Sky Sports F1 channel will be broadcasting the race live, along with expert commentary and stunning graphics.
Sky Sports F1 launched in March 2012 just ahead of the season’s opening race. While it shared broadcast duties with the BBC up to the end of 2015, it gained UK broadcast exclusivity for the 2016 season and all seasons beyond.
Formula 1 can also be accessed by those with the NOW TV Sports Day Membership, as NOW TV is another partner of Sky.
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Channel 4
The difference this year is that Sky will be sharing the broadcast with Channel 4, carrying Sky coverage, to get as many eyes on the championship decider for 2021 as possible. A rare season to remember in recent Formula 1 history, we’re guessing the theory is this unprecedented last-round fight, with the championship protagonists going into the race on equal points, could draw new fans and viewers over to Sky Sports F1, based on what they see this weekend.
“We've chosen to gift the race to the whole country at Christmas through our partnership with Channel 4,” said Stephen van Rooyen, EVP & CEO UK & Europe Sky.
“Everyone can be part of a huge national moment as Lewis Hamilton goes for a historic eighth World Championship title. The brilliant Sky Sports Formula 1 team will give viewers on Channel 4 and Sky Sports the best insight, commentary and analysis of every twist and turn of this most eagerly anticipated final race of the season. Additionally, all Sky TV customers will have live coverage of the important qualifying session on Saturday, and the race on Sunday – which we will also show live on Sky Showcase."
That partnership has up to now consisted of highlights of every race for Channel 4, along with broadcast rights to the British Grand Prix alongside Sky Sports F1.
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How can Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen win the 2021 F1 title?
Hamilton will win his eighth F1 crown if he finishes ahead of Verstappen, and equally Verstappen will win if he finishes ahead of Hamilton. The slight exception is if Hamilton finishes ninth and Verstappen finishes 10th and scores a point for the fastest lap of the race, in which case their point tally will be equal (ninth is worth two points and 10th just one) and the title will go to the Red Bull driver, as he has racked up more victories this year than his Mercedes rival.
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Hamilton is champion if he finishes |
And Verstappen finishes |
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1st |
2nd or lower |
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2nd |
3rd or lower |
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3rd |
4th or lower |
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4th |
5th or lower |
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5th |
6th or lower |
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6th |
7th or lower |
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7th |
8th or lower |
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8th |
9th or lower |
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9th |
10th or lower without the fastest lap |
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10th |
Outside of the top 10 |
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.
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