Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s year-long title feud will be settled this weekend, as the bitter championship rivals face off in a winner-takes-all clash at the season-finale grand prix in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton’s chaotic and controversial victory at the Saudi Arabian GP last weekend saw the seven-time world champion pull level with the Dutchman in the drivers standings on 369.5 points, despite the Brits Mercedes colliding with the rear of Verstappen’s Red Bull on lap 37 of the race.

With significant tyre degradation, damage to the rear of his Red Bull and a 10-second time penalty, Verstappen had to coast his wounded car home to settle for second.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Source - Getty Images

When asked to reflect on the season at the pre-race press conference, Hamilton said:

“We are into unmarked territory as a team. With the year that we’ve had, I’m sure so many people would’ve ruled us out being this close. No one has ever done eight [championships] before, but I feel grateful. I remember what it is like also going for your first, I’ve had those experiences and roller-coaster of emotions you go through.”

Verstappen responded with:

“It has been really enjoyable. I think after last year, I didn’t have a lot of hope that we would be sitting here fighting for a title, but I think from the start we were very competitive, had some good results and bad luck as well. Overall, we can be really proud of the whole team effort.

This is only the second time in Formula One’s illustrious history that two drivers have been tied on points heading into the final race of the season. Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni last achieved that status in the 1974 season, with Fittipaldi emerging victorious after Regazzoni’s Ferrari suffered mechanical failure early into the race.

It is also the first time the championship has gone down to the wire since 2016, where Nico Rosberg’s podium finish was enough to secure his first and only world title after a season-long tussle with his then Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen will hold the slightest of advantages at the Yas Marina Circuit due to the F1 ‘Countback rule’, which would award the Red Bull driver his first world championship if both were to retire. This is due to his previous record of nine race wins to Hamilton’s eight this year.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen squaring off earlier in the year. Source - Getty Images

The 2021 campaign has provided fans across the globe with an intense contest between a record-breaking veteran and the rising star of the modern generation.

A driver fighting for his maiden world title forcing the sports most successful driver to the finish line has allowed fans to experience possibly the most unique and awe-inspiring season in the sports history.

Victory for Verstappen would see the 24-year-old become the first ever Dutch F1 World Champion and the first Red Bull driver to win the title since Sebastian Vettel in 2013.

Hamilton also stands on the brink of F1 history. A record-breaking eighth world title would see the 36-year-old surpass Michael Schumacher’s 17 year-long record of seven, whilst also extending his record with the Silver Arrows to five consecutive championships.

However, the duo’s fierce front-row feud at the Saudi Arabian GP is one of several key incidents this season. Aggressive racing at Imola, Portimao and Barcelona put any respect between the drivers under immense strain, before a terrifying collision at Silverstone ignited a fierce and contentious rivalry.

After conceding pole position to Verstappen in the Sprint Race the previous day, Hamilton jostled for the lead in the early stages of the opening lap and after gaining a slipstream through the old pit straight, the reigning world champion attempted an ambitious move into Copse corner, sending Verstappen spiralling off the track and into the barrier at a tremendous pace.

Hamilton was awarded a 10-second penalty for the incident, but the punishment failed to have any impact on the final race result, as the British driver cruised home to record his third consecutive British GP victory.

Four races later, the pair crashed out again, forcing both cars to retire from the race. Hamilton exited the pitlane ahead of Verstappen who tried to force a move into the first chicane, but after clipping the inside of the curb, Verstappen lost control and forced both cars off the track and into the gravel pit.

Incidents in Brazil and Saudi Arabia followed, forcing the FIA race director Michael Masi to warn both drivers about the possibility of championship-deciding penalties in Abu Dhabi.

“I can’t control the actions of the two individuals”, Masi told the Daily Mail.

“Max could be deducted points, as could any team. We hope it isn’t necessary, but it is one of the tools available.

Elsewhere, George Russell will race for the last time in a Williams car, before he replaces the departing Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes.

When asked about his final few races with the team at the Saudi Arabian pre-race press-conference, Russell said:

“We are all excited for the new challenges next year. There’s probably five teams and 10 drivers who truly think they can have a good shot of winning. So, I think that there is that exciting unknown of what is to come.

“Regardless of how these last two races unfold, whether we finish eighth or ninth in the constructors, I think we’ve got to be pretty satisfied with the progress we’ve made.”

This weekend’s race will also mark the end of an impeccable career, as Kimi Raikkonen gets set to start his 349th and final grand prix before his impending retirement.

Throughout the 42-year-old’s distinguished career, the ‘Flying Finn’ achieved 21 race victories, 103 podiums and a world championship with Ferrari in 2007.

Speaking to F1.com, the departing veteran said:

“I think it’s true my wife will be more emotional about it. Honestly, I doubt the kids will care either way, there are things their father does that are far more interesting.”

When asked if he would become emotional, Raikkonen joked:

“I don’t know, I doubt it, but you never know.”

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen and Hamilton to Settle the Closest F1 Title Race in 47 years