Abu Dhabi points change now only barrier to Hamilton title
Published:After winning his fifth race in a row by topping the podium at the USA Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has opened up a 24-point lead in the F1 Drivers’ Championship.
The Brit has been in imperious form for most of the season, winning 10 races in total so far, and is understandably the very short favourite for the title at 1/7.
However, the arbitrary rule change that means the final race on the calendar, in Abu Dhabi, is worth 50 points to the winner, could scupper Hamilton’s chances of a second Championship win.
As a result of the change, Nico Rosberg, who has finished second behind his teammate in four of his five recent wins, is still worth considering for the title at odds of 9/2.
The German has won just four races this season but has been slightly more consistent in making the top two than Hamilton, missing out on first or second in just three races.
The Mercedes car which has been so dominant all year does have some reliability issues, with five retirements already, and if Hamilton fails to finish in Abu Dhabi, Rosberg could yet snatch the title.
That could happen regardless of the result of the next race in Brazil, where the current Championship leader is 4/7 to claim a sixth consecutive victory.
Hamilton has been a cut above the rest all season, and proved his dominance over Rosberg in particular once again in America.
The Brit started behind his teammate on the grid due to a brake issue in qualifying, but set a faster pace than the German on race day and overtook him on lap 24 before easing away to top the podium once again.
Punters should certainly get behind Hamilton to win again in Brazil, but given the bizarre points system in Abu Dhabi, it is still worth considering Rosberg for the overall title at his generous 9/2 odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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