Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview: Drivers’ Championship goes down to the wire in season finale
2nd December 2025Formula 1 heads into the final round in Abu Dhabi, as this season’s thrilling three-way title battle comes to its dramatic conclusion.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen kept his championship hopes alive once again as he made it back-to-back victories following a huge McLaren strategy blunder. Now only 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, Verstappen can secure the championship by jumping to the top of the drivers’ standings for the first time this season.
Not since 2010 has this feat been achieved when Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won his first of four consecutive titles in Abu Dhabi. This was also the last time multiple drivers could challenge for the title in the final race, making the 2025 season one of the most exciting title fights in over a decade.
Having started the weekend with a 1-3 finish in the Sprint, McLaren made it another weekend to forget as their bold strategy call to not pit under the safety car left both of their drivers at the mercy of the charging Verstappen. Oscar Piastri, especially, has a mountain to climb, as he now sits 16 points behind leader Norris heading into the final round.
The Australian will also be competing with one hour less of track time this weekend ahead of this crunch title fight, as Pato O’Ward will be standing in for him in free practice one. This is a mandatory concession as Piastri has only forfeited one free practice session out of two this season for rookie development, coming in Monza.
Norris sits in pole position to claim the title with his 12-point advantage, meaning he only requires a podium finish to secure the title. However, following his disqualification in Las Vegas and P5 finish in Qatar, doubt has begun to creep in following the late pressure of Verstappen.
Elsewhere, battles across the field are set to be decided with millions of pounds on the line. Williams secured P5 in the constructors’ championship following a magnificent second podium of the season for Carlos Sainz, whilst the battle for second between Red Bull and Mercedes is still yet to be decided.
Racing Bulls and Aston Martin are set to battle it out for seventh place, whilst Haas and Kick Sauber fight over eighth and the extra prize money up for grabs.
The 5.281-mile Yas Marina Circuit has held iconic races since its introduction in 2009, most recently hosting the infamous title decider between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Since changes to the track layout in 2021 to improve raceability, such as the removal of the chicane before the first hairpin, overtaking has become easier.
As usual for Abu Dhabi, dry and hot temperatures of over 27°C are expected across the weekend, making conditions difficult for drivers across the grid as they battle with the heat.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix begins this Friday, with first practice at 9:30* before practice two at 13:00*. Saturday’s first action begins at 10:30* with free practice three, before qualifying at 14:00*. Finally, Sunday sees lights out at 13:00*, with a champion finally being crowned at the curtain-closing race.
*Times are set in GMT
Read more Formula 1 here:
- Max Verstappen cuts down title gap after Qatar Grand Prix win
- FIA confirm procedure if Lando Norris wins title at Qatar Grand Prix
- Oscar Piastri takes pole position pipping Lando Norris ahead of Qatar Grand Prix
- Oscar Piastri wins Qatar Grand Prix sprint ahead of Norris and Verstappen
- Lewis Hamilton hoping for a better tomorrow after ‘tough’ start at Qatar GP
- Oscar Piastri takes Qatar Grand Prix sprint pole ahead of Norris and Verstappen
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