Round 24 out of 24 is the final.
What will the final race in Abu Dhabi be like at the end of the next Formula 1 season?
In the modern era of Formula 1, it's rare for a title to go all the way to the final race, and what's even more unusual is that it's been a three-way fight for the title in the final race… except for that one time in 2007…
While Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claim their first world titles, they will be up against the more experienced world champion Max Verstappen, who is not giving up and is working hard to close the points gap in the second half of the season as he aims for a fifth title.
Here's what's happening this weekend…
Weather forecast – hot
The weather should be similar to last weekend. Abu Dhabi is expected to be hot, with a maximum temperature of 27°C (81°F).
Cloudy weather is expected on Friday, but mostly sunny on Saturday and Sunday.
Go to: Track history and statistics | Forecasts | How to watch | Tournament table
Must read this week
F1 NAME: How did we get here? We are summing up the season by race as we approach the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
PERmutations: Breaking everything scenarios and what every driver needs to do to win in Abu Dhabi.
REPEAT 2007? Does McLaren error at Qatar Grand Prix bring back memories of when they lost the title to Kimi Raikkonen in 2007? He looks close, Lawrence Edmondson looks at what history books tell us.
RED BULL 2026: Red Bull has announced its driver line-up for 2026. Isak Hajar has been promoted and Yuki Tsunoda eliminated. Arvid Lindblad, 18 years old, will join Racing Bulls along with Liam Lawson.
RED BULL No. 2: What's it like to be Max Verstappen's teammate? Yuki Tsunoda joins a host of other talented drivers who are unlikely to return to the team in the foreseeable future. There is established race winner Daniel Ricciardo, as well as Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Liam Lawson. Chronology of Red Bull failures No. 2.
REGRETS: Red Bull issued a statement expressing its “sincere regret” online insult towards Kimi Antonelli after the Qatar Grand Prix after two team members suggested that the Mercedes driver allow Lando Norris to overtake him towards the end of the race.
UNFINISHED: For more in-depth analysis, listen to the latest episode ESPN F1 Unlapped Podcast with Formula 1 writers Nate Saunders and Lawrence Edmondson.
What does the championship look like?
Lando Norris's lead was reduced to 12 points and Max Verstappen entered the final race.
Verstappen's victory in the Qatar race allowed him to overtake Piastri into second place in the standings, now four points behind.
There is a maximum of 25 points available to the winner, meaning Norris will need to finish third or better to win the championship. For other scenarios check out our F1 permutations article breaking down each scenario and what the three drivers need to do to win.
As for the distribution of podiums and victories, here's what it looks like in the top three:
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Norris (408 points) – 17 podiums, 7 wins
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Verstappen (396 points) – 14 podiums, 7 wins
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Piastri (392 points) – 15 podiums, 7 wins.
– View other information about the riders and team standings
– How many points for winning a race? How the F1 points system works
Statistics and track history
In 2006, Yas Island, located near the city of Abu Dhabi, was built from scratch with the goal of making the race circuit a solid road map. Three years later, the Yas Marina circuit was valued at $1.32 billion, joined the Formula 1 calendar and has hosted a Grand Prix every year since.
The circuit has hosted more season finales than any other in Formula One history, with intense championship rivalries in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2021, and is contracted to continue as the final race until 2030.
Scheme: Yas Marina Circuit; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
First Formula 1 race: 2009
Lap record: 1:25.637, Kevin Magnussen (2024)
Circles: 58 laps of 5.2 km.
Most wins: Lewis Hamilton with five (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018–2019). Other winners in the current bracket:
Most poles: Hamilton with five (2009, 2012, 2016, 2018–2019). Other pole sitters in the current grid:
What makes it special: The de facto season finale these days, the daily view of Abu Dhabi always provides a special feeling, while the championship's climactic battles – such as 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2021 – bring an added element of drama, joy and despair under the fireworks that greet the cars as they cross the finish line.
What drivers say about it: “The first few corners are pretty good, but the rest is crap.” — Kimi Raikkonen
Where to watch: Western stand. Overlooking the Turn 6/7 chicane at the end of the long back straight, this is where most of the overtaking takes place throughout the race.
What happened last year?
Norris won from pole to help McLaren win its first constructors' championship since 1998, but Ferrari kept McLaren sweating until the very end, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finishing on the podium.
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!” Congratulations to everyone,” Norris said on the radio after the race. “Incredible. Well done everyone, so proud of you. Thank you so much, it’s been a special year.”
Norris then signed: “Next year will be my year too.”
Who will win?
This could be the hardest race of the year to predict because of what's at stake.
On paper it's one thing, but title fights in Formula 1 have always caused chaos. McLaren should be good in Abu Dhabi, but they have made a habit of getting in their own way of late and you can imagine them faltering when the pressure is at its peak.
Let's call it – Verstappen wins the race, Piastri second… and Charles Leclerc finishes third with Norris narrowly missing out on the title in fourth, meaning we'll get a repeat of 2007 and Red Bull snatching the title from under McLaren's nose.
This is a bold prediction and goes against the favorite, but if it happens, read it here first.
How to watch GP
For US fans only, watch live on ESPN and ESPN+ — see the schedule.
In the UK, there is live coverage on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live, with highlights on Channel 4.
For news, analysis and updates, monitor the lighting With ESPN F1 Team Nate Saunders and Lawrence Edmondson in Abu Dhabi and on social media.
Showtimes are listed below in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Local Time (GST) Gulf Standard Time. (GMT+4 watch).
Friday
First free practice: 09:30–10:30 GMT.
Second free practice: 13:00–14:00 GMT.
Saturday
Free Practice Three: 10:30–11:30 GMT.
Qualifying: 14:00–15:00 GMT.
Sunday
Race starts: 13:00 GMT (real-time text commentary starts at 11:30 GMT). ESPN.co.uk/F1).
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