Formula 1's title-deciding crashes prove Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton could collide at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | talkSPORT

It's Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen in a straight shoot-out for the Formula 1 title in Abu Dhabi.

This is only the second time in the sportâ€™s 71-year history that two title rivals have entered the final round level on points - and if it plays out similarly we could see another crash between the pair.

Verstappen's brake check on Hamilton has seen the title enter a whole new world of intensityCredit: Getty

Hamilton took the win, despite damage from Verstappen's braking

Hamilton and Verstappen have been inseparable in one of the most intense and high-quality championships fights motorsport has ever seen, but the Dutchman finally stepped over the line in Saudi Arabia.

The unprecedented number of wheel-to-wheel incidents between the drivers have largely been up for debate, but with data confirming Verstappen did apply the brakes in a shocking collision with Hamilton, a new realm has been entered.

Despite being tied on points, Verstappen still leads the championship thanks to his superior number of race wins, meaning if neither driver scores a point in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen will be world champion.

Verstappenâ€™s brake check in Jeddah shows just how likely that scenario now is, with the Red Bull driver willing to do whatever it takes to claim his maiden world title.

There was shock when the pair clashed on lap 37 as Hamilton was left with a damaged front wing, but as F1 history shows, the man ahead will do whatever it takes to claim the titleâ€¦

Verstappen has plenty to think about after Jeddah, including if he's going to employ some of Senna's tacticsCredit: AFP

Senna vs Prost, Suzuka, 1989

Two of Formula 1â€™s greatest ever drivers were teammates at McLaren for two years in the late 80s, and the consequences were as exactly as many predicted they would be.

Their first year together saw Ayrton Senna take his first title, but the second Alain Prost fought back, and led with two races to go.

In the penultimate round in Japan, Senna tailed his teammate through the ferociously fast 130R corner, before audaciously throwing his car up the inside heading into the final chicane of the circuit.

Prost saw the move coming and turned in on his opponent, causing both to stop. Senna managed to restart after the crash, but was disqualified for a dangerous re-entry, handing the title to Prost.

Senna's move was audacious, but Prost still needed contact to ward it offCredit: AFP

Senna vs Prost, Suzuka, 1990

No longer teammates with Prost, escaping the intensity with a move to Ferrari, the tables were turned with Sennaâ€™s McLaren leading the way.

Back at Suzuka, the scene of the previous yearâ€™s drama, Prost and Senna lined up together on the front row.

Senna lost traction off the line due to being on the dirty side of the racetrack, and seeing Prost move ahead, he decided to take him out at the first possible opportunity.

A collision at turn one saw Senna crowned world champion, and the scores balanced in one of the sportâ€™s greatest rivalries.

Senna opted to preserve his title lead by taking him and Prost out of the race. Could Verstappen do the same?Credit: Getty

Schumacher vs Hill, Adelaide, 1994

Only in his third season in Formula 1, it was abundantly clear Michael Schumacher was something special, earning himself a one-point title lead heading into the final race in Australia.

Ahead of Damon Hill in the standings and on track, Schumacher ran his Benetton wide whilst cruising towards the title, gifting Hill the chance to take the race and championship win.

Emerging round the corner at Adelaide unaware of why Schumacher was going slow, Hill saw a gap and went for it, only to be turned in on by his opponent.

The contact sent Schumacher up on two wheels and out of the race, with Hill later retiring with suspension damage, handing the German his first of seven world titles.

Hill quickly closed in on Schumacher after his error, but had his overtake blockedCredit: Getty

Schumacher initially looked like he'd got it all wrong by retiring from the race, but Hill later had to do the sameCredit: Getty

Schumacher vs Villeneuve, Jerez 1997

Itâ€™s easy to forget now considering Schmacherâ€™s utter dominance in red, but Ferrari were a complete mess when the German joined in 1996, and nowhere near winning the title.

The then two-time champion changed the Italian squad's fortunes in stunning fashion, producing a title challenge in his second season, again leading the championship by a single point heading into the final race.

Schumacherâ€™s title rival Jacques Villeneuve took pole position with the top three posting exactly the same time in Jerez, but his much faster Williams was beaten to the first corner by the Ferrari.

Villeneuve hunted down Schumacher before sealing a championship-winning move that even dirty tactics couldn't stopCredit: Getty

Schumacher's blatant swipe came to no avail, with the German later disqualified from the championshipCredit: AFP

However, in the closing stages the Canadian finally caught Schumacher, and comfortably dived down the inside into turn six.