F1 2021 standings: Hamilton and Verstappen take title race down to Abu Dhabi

Season will go down to the wire with champion crowned after Sunday's Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with second placed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the background, on Sunday, December 5, 2021. AP

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday, December 5. AFP

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton tussle for the lead. Getty

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete for the lead. AP

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton during the race. Getty

Drivers take the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on December 5, 2021. AFP

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of the race. AFP

Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP

Jets release smoke as they perform an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP

A jets performs during an air display over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. AFP

Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP

Jets perform an air display over the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. AFP

Drivers and team members pay tribute to the late founder and former team principal of Williams Racing, Frank Williams who died a week before the race. AFP

Lewis Hamilton looks at the trophy prior to the start of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen before the race. Reuters

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr before the race. Reuters

Drivers stand and take a knee on the starting grid prior to the race. AFP

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. AFP

Drivers race during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit. AP

Mechanics work on the car of McLaren driver Lando Norris in the pits. AFP

Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly during the race. AFP

Mick Schumacher's Haas after crashing. Getty

Haas driver Mick Schumacher after crashing. Getty

Alpine driver Esteban Ocon competes in the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. AFP

Race marshals remove the car of Williams driver George Russell after a crash. AFP

A race marshal assists Haas driver Mick Schumacher after his crash. AFP

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP

Lewis Hamilton speaks with team members during a second stop in the race. AFP

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez leaves his car after a collision. AFP

Sergio Perez after crashing. AFP

Lewis Hamilton won a crazy, twice-halted Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday to go level on points with Red Bull rival Max Verstappen and set up a winner-takes-all title showdown in Abu Dhabi.

Here are the championship permutations as we buildup to arguably the most exciting climax in F1 history.

What happened in Saudi Arabia?

On a chaotic night in Jeddah, the first race in the Gulf kingdom took almost as many twists and turns as an already astonishing and enthralling rollercoaster season - and also left a bitter aftertaste.

There were crashes and collisions, safety cars, red flags, and claims of dirty driving after seven-time world champion Hamilton hit the back of Verstappen's suddenly slowing car on the super-fast Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Extraordinary, at times angry, radio exchanges between the race director Michael Masi and the top two teams filled the airwaves.

Hamilton would end up taking the chequered flag with Verstappen second. Hamilton's Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas completed the podium after speeding past Alpine driver Esteban Ocon on the home straight.

So who leads the championship?

With a bonus point for the fastest lap, Hamilton moved alongside Verstappen at the top of the standings with 369.5 points after 21 races.

Mercedes extended their lead in the constructors' championship to 28 points and a record eighth successive title looks likely.

When is the final race?

The end of a thrilling season climaxes at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday, December 12.

What do Hamilton and Verstappen need to do to be crowned champion?

There are a maximum 26 points up for grabs in Abu Dhabi - 25 for a race victory and one for the fastest lap around the remodelled Yas Marina track.

The simple equation is that whoever finishes higher will win the title.

Verstappen leads Hamilton 9-8 on wins for the season, however - meaning that the 24-year-old Dutchman will be champion if neither he nor Hamilton scores another point in Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton is chasing an unprecedented eighth title while Verstappen will be hoping to win his first championship.

What can still be decided?

Mercedes top the constructors' standings on 587.5 points ahead of Red Bull on 559.5 points, a 28-point differential.

With 25 constructors' points awarded to the winning team, Mercedes will be crowned champions for an eighth consecutive year if either Hamilton or Bottas win the race, regardless of how high Red Bull finish.

Red Bull could conceivably usurp Mercedes if both their drivers - Verstappen and Sergio Perez - finish first and eighth or higher and neither Mercedes car finishes in the top 10.

Haas will be aiming to finish the season with at least one point as they are the only team currently on zero.