Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2014: B/R Experts Predict Pole, Race Winner and More

So, after 18 races in 2014, the final stop on the calendar takes us to the United Arab Emirates and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Yas Marina.

The race for the title between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is still very much alive, and the same could be said of our F1 team's efforts to predict the race weekends.

We briefly considered having double points for the final weekend to mirror the rule on the track—but then we decided against it, safe in the knowledge that the stipulation is ridiculous.

Here are our best guesses as to how the final Grand Prix of the season will pan out:

Kamran Jebreili/Associated Press

Mark Patterson: It would be a strangely fitting, damning legacy of the double points rule if in its sole season it interfered to give Nico Rosberg a title which Lewis Hamilton has merited. But while I can see the German winning the race, with Mercedes so far ahead of the pack once again, it's only a technical fault or a moment of madness which could deny the Briton the second place on the day he needs to win the championship.

Oliver Harden: The importance of the weekend will make the nervy Mercedes drivers vulnerable to the chasing pack in qualifying, but Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg should have enough time in hand to secure the front row. The race itself may become an anti-climax if Hamilton, an expert at Yas Marina, makes it through the opening laps unscathed.

Matthew Walthert: Lewis Hamilton only needs second place in Abu Dhabi to guarantee himself the title, but he has made it clear that he wants to win this weekend. I think Hamilton has learnt his lessons from past championships that slipped through his fingers—he will win from pole to close out the 2014 season in style. 

Neil James: Lewis Hamilton has entered two final-race title deciders as favourite. In one, his car let him down; in the other, he scraped home in the minimum acceptable position. He knows the danger of playing it safe, so expect him to approach the weekend like any other on a circuit he tends to do well at. Rosberg might get pole, but Hamilton will win and set the fastest lap on his way to a deserved second title.

Bob Margolis: Team-mates don’t always get along, but the situation between Hamilton and Rosberg has become nothing more than bad theatre. Fans of both are simply tired of their antics and expect nothing short of a good race between them for the title. That means the 2014 finale will be another entertaining, but predictable show with Hamilton emerging victorious over Rosberg.

B/R Expert Picks: Abu Dhabi GP

Columnist	Mark Patterson	Oliver Harden	Matthew Walthert	Neil James	Bob Margolis
Pole Position	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton
Race Winner	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton
Fastest Lap	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton	Nico Rosberg
Top Team	Mercedes	Mercedes	Mercedes	Mercedes	Mercedes
Number of Finishers	14	16	16	16	16

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Here's how we did in Brazil and what the results of the race did to our scores so far this season: 

B/R Expert Picks: After Brazil GP

Columnist	Mark Patterson	Oliver Harden	Matthew Walthert	Neil James	Bob  Margolis	RESULT
Pole Position	Nico Rosberg	Nico Rosberg	Nico Rosberg	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton	Nico Rosberg
Race Winner	Nico Rosberg	Daniel Ricciardo	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Lewis Hamilton	Nico Rosberg
Fastest Lap	Valtteri Bottas	Fernando Alonso	Felipe Massa	Nico Rosberg	Nico Rosberg	Lewis Hamilton
Top Team	Mercedes	Red Bull	Mercedes	Mercedes	Mercedes	Mercedes
Number of Finishers	15	13	14	14	14	16
Brazil Points	4	1	3	3	2
Points This Season	46	45	47	47	-*

How the Scores Are Calculated

The right answer earns you one point, except in the case of total finishers, where you can be two cars either side. However, if you predict the exact correct number of finishers, you pick up two points.

Feel free to play along in the comments to see how you fare against our predictions.

*Bob Margolis does not have an overall score as he joined our predictions midway through the season.