Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Full Schedule for the F1 Title Showdown

The 2025 Formula 1 season culminates in Abu Dhabi, where the championship battle will see McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, alongside Max Verstappen, vie for the title. Norris currently holds a slim lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.

Why it matters:

This year's F1 championship is heading down to the wire in Abu Dhabi, mirroring the intense 2021 season. With three drivers in contention, the pressure is immense, particularly on McLaren and Norris, who seek to capitalize on their strong season and avoid past strategic missteps. A victory here would be a landmark achievement for any of the contenders and could reshape the narrative for the coming seasons, especially for McLaren's resurgence.

The Details:

• Championship Standings: Lando Norris leads the pack with a 12-point advantage over Max Verstappen and a 16-point lead over his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri. This means Norris can secure the title by finishing within the top three.
• Recent Performance: The Qatar Grand Prix saw Verstappen emerge victorious, with Piastri and Norris finishing behind him, and Carlos Sainz splitting the McLarens. This result tightened the championship fight, pushing it to the final race.
• McLaren's Challenges: The team faces heightened pressure after recent setbacks, including a disqualification in Las Vegas and a controversial strategy call in Qatar that backfired, leaving both cars out on track too long.
• Pre-Race Activities: All three title contenders participated in a shared FIA press conference, discussing their preparations and identifying points where they felt they lost out during the season. The wider F1 grid also weighed in, offering predictions and opinions on who deserves the championship.
• Drivers' Dinner: The annual drivers' dinner took place in Abu Dhabi, with many drivers sharing moments from the event on social media.

The Schedule:

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix reverts to the traditional three-practice session format, giving teams ample time to fine-tune their cars and strategies.

• Friday, December 5th:
  • 10:30 – Free Practice 1 (09:30 UK)
  • 14:00 – Free Practice 2 (13:00 UK)
• Saturday, December 6th:
  • 11:30 – Free Practice 3 (10:30 UK)
  • 15:00 – Qualifying (14:00 UK)
• Sunday, December 7th:
  • 14:00 – Race (13:00 UK)

What's next:

All eyes will be on the Yas Marina Circuit this weekend to see if Lando Norris can maintain his lead under immense pressure, or if Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri can stage a last-minute comeback to claim the coveted F1 crown. The race promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable season, with strategic decisions and on-track performance dictating who lifts the championship trophy.