The Formula 1 World Championship heads to Yas Marina for the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 5th to 7th December. In what looked like a title-winning weekend in Qatar for Lando Norris, slipped through McLaren’s fingers after a costly strategy handed Max Verstappen a critical win.
After a collision triggered the safety car on Lap seven, all teams decided to take a free pit stop. However, the McLarens were the only ones to say out. As a result, Verstappen was handed the race win, with 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, while Oscar Piastri drops from second to third in the standings, now just four points behind Verstappen.
With the title still up for grabs, Yas Marina is waiting to deliver a finale with the incredibly high stakes and a three-way championship battle.
Yas Marina Circuit Layout
The Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island has a lap distance of 5.281 km and a race distance of 58 laps. With a mix of long straights, tight hairpins, a technical mid-section and two DRS zones, the circuit offers multiple overtaking opportunities, especially at Turns 1, 7, and 11.
Turn 1 is a heavy-braking zone into a sharp right-hander, often a hotspot for position changes in the first lap, while Turn 7 includes a slow, off-camber corner that challenges car balance. Turns 11 and 14 feature high-speed corners leading onto long straights, where recovery and speed are crucial.
The final sector is particularly demanding due to the sweeping corners and tight sequences as it emphasises downforce and tyre management, where errors can cost more time than the straights.
The track features the unique twilight setting, where cars start in daylight and finish under floodlights, this adds an extra challenge for tyre management as temperatures drop. Last year, McLaren performed exceptionally well on this track, winning the race and the long-awaited 2024 Constructors’ Title.
The Championship Decider
Heading into Abu Dhabi, the Drivers’ Championship remains wide open. Norris still leads with 408 points, Verstappen sits comfortably at 396 points, and Piastri sits behind the Dutchman with 392 points.
If Norris finishes third or higher, he will take the title, regardless of where the other drivers finish. Meanwhile, Verstappen will need to outscore Norris by 13 points. If Norris, finishes P4 and below, Verstappen will be crowned World Champion.
Piastri must finish within the Top 2, with the exception that his teammate concludes the race in sixth or lower, making the finale a pressure-cooker scenario for all three title contenders.
The Midfield Battle
The fight in the midfield is equally tense. Williams secured fifth in the Constructors’ standings after Carlos Sainz claimed a podium at the Qatar GP, moving the team clear of Racing Bulls, who sit sixth with 92 points.
The battle for seventh will be a three-way fight closely contested between Aston Martin (80 points), Haas (73 points) and Kick Sauber (68 points) trailing Haas by five points.
The End of An Era
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also marks the end of an era for Sauber—this will be their final race in green before becoming Audi’s factory team in 2026. After years of competing as an independent Swiss outfit, the team will fully integrate Audi’s resources and technology under the new regulations.
This season is therefore a closing chapter for Sauber’s legacy in F1, with the team aiming to leave a strong impression before the full-scale Audi relaunch reshapes their future.
Key regulation changes also take place in the upcoming year. The 2026 regulations will introduce lighter cars, active aerodynamics, stronger hybrid systems, and 100 per cent sustainable fuel—these changes aim to improve overtaking, increase energy-management challenges, and create a more level playing field for manufacturers.
Yuki Tsunoda will also step aside from a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2026 as Red Bull reshapes its driver line-up. Tsunoda will remain with the organisation as a test and reserve driver, keeping him involved despite losing his race seat. Isack Hadjar moves up to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing, while Arvid Lindblad graduates from F2 to take Hadjar’s former place at Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.
With a title on the line and major transformations ahead, the Abu Dhabi GP is shaping up to be a dramatic and fitting conclusion to the season.
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