Lewis Hamilton Set to Return in Abu Dhabi Season Finale

George Russell and Jack Aitken will have to return to their regular jobs. That’s because Lewis Hamilton is set to reclaim his car for this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion missed the Sakhir Grand Prix last weekend after testing positive for COVID-19 on the Monday before the race. In his absence, George Russell was pulled from Williams to take over Hamilton’s seat while Aitken was promoted from F2 to F1 for last weekend’s race.

Russell and Aitken were expected to return to their temporary assignments this weekend and in fact, the two had already undergone pre-race preparations with Mercedes and Williams, respectively. But late on Thursday, it was revealed that Hamilton had been cleared to return to the paddock for the season finale in Abu Dhabi:

Streak Ends at 265

2020 has been a record-breaking year for Lewis Hamilton. He entered the season with six world championships, 84 race wins and 151 podium finishes to his name. Meanwhile, the legendary Michael Schumacher retired with seven world championships, 91 wins, 72 wins under Ferrari, and 155 podium finishes. All Schumy stats were F1 records. Hamilton tied or bested all of those this year.

With 11 race wins this season, Hamilton not only clinched a record-tying seventh world championship, but he also set a record 95 race wins, 74 wins with Mercedes, and 164 podium finishes. Additionally, he won an 8th Hungarian Grand Prix which tied Schumacher’s record for most wins in that race.

But Hamilton’s record season didn’t end with another record. It finished with one on his records being ended. By missing last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix, his record streak of 265 consecutive races started also came to an end.

Since making his F1 debut at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Hamilton has never missed a single race in 14 years. His streak of 265 is 59 races longer than the previous mark which was set by his former Mercedes teammate and world champion Nico Rosberg. Unfortunately, Hamilton bid that streak goodbye last weekend.

Closing on a High Note

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of Hamilton’s most memorable races. Not only has he won it a record five times and not only has he won it back to back in the last two seasons, but it was also the site of one of his most dramatic wins ever.

Hamilton entered the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix going head to head with teammate Nico Rosberg for the world title. The race would determine the world champion. Hamilton won PF1 and PF2 but when it was time for the qualifying, it was Rosberg who claimed pole position. But Hamilton had a brilliant race as he took the lead after the first corner. Hamilton would go on to win the race and his second world title.

This year was much “easier”. Hamilton had secured the win with several races to spare. While this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will have no bearing in the already-decided 2020 World Championship, Hamilton and Mercedes will have a chance to close the year on a high note.

Shaking up the Oddsboard

Less than 24 hours ago, online sportsbook Bet365 had Valtteri Bottas as the +175 odds on favorite to win the 2020 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Red Bulls’ Max Verstappen was second at +187 while George Russell came in third at +200. But with the announcement of Hamilton’s return in this weekend’s race, the odds board has been shaken up.

As of the latest odds from the same bookmaker, Hamilton is now the -275 betting favorite to win the race. Bottas has been relegated to second at +350 while Verstappen and Russell have moved down to third and fourth at +600 and +100, respectively.

Hamilton has been the favorite in every race he’s started this season and he’s won 11 of them. While there are concerns about his lack of preparation, he’s a seven-time world champion and arguably the best driver in the business today. This has been a banner year for Hamilton and Mercedes. Look for them to finish it in style.