2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Preview

December 3, 2025 James Gregory Formula One 0

(Image credit: @F1)

Guide to 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the F1 title fight goes to the wire with three drivers still in contention. 

A memorable campaign packed with twists, drama and Papaya Rules now all boils down to a nervy season finale with the title at stake as just 16 points separate Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Piastri.

Norris has the title in his own hands as he and Piastri chase a maiden F1 title, whilst Verstappen aims to snatch a fifth crown despite having never led any stage of the season coming into this final race of the year.

This weekend also marks Yuki Tsunoda’s final F1 race after Red Bull announced that he would drop down to a reserve role in 2026, and be replaced by Isack Hadjar who is leaving Racing Bulls after this weekend to join the parent team for next season.

Now, here is everything that you need to know ahead of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from track information to pointers and title permutations.

 

Track Guide

Laps: 58

Race Distance: 306.183km

Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5

 

Schedule

Date Session Time (GMT)
Friday 5 December 2025 FP1 9:30am
Friday 5 December 2025 FP2 1:00pm
Saturday 6 December 2025 FP3 10:30am
Saturday 6 December 2025 Qualifying 2:00pm
Sunday 7 December 2025 Race 1:00pm

Five Key Pointers

  • With contrastable track conditions between FP1 and FP3 to FP2 and Qualifying respectively, only FP2 will provide a representative picture of the pecking order heading into Qualifying.
  • Traction could be crucial out of the first hairpin because just one slight mistake will impact their maximum speed along the back straight, especially if battling cars have different tyre degradation.
  • Each of the last ten races in Abu Dhabi have been won from pole so Qualifying could be crucial in determining victory.
  • With the last three trips to Abu Dhabi having seen a mix of one or two stop strategies, this year could well see more of the same given the challenge in maintaining grip levels.
  • With a number of slow and medium-speed corners, this track is expected to suit McLaren more than Red Bull.

 

Title Permutations

With a 12-point lead over Verstappen, Norris simply needs a top-three finish to secure the title regardless of Piastri and Verstappen’s result, but there are various permutations at play for all three drivers, starting with Norris.

For Norris to win Title if Finishes  Verstappen Needs Piastri Needs
1 N/A N/A
2 N/A N/A
3 N/A N/A
4 2nd or lower N/A
5 2nd or lower N/A
6 2nd or lower 2nd or lower
7 2nd or lower 2nd or lower
8 3rd or lower 2nd or lower
9 4th or lower 2nd or lower
10 4th or lower 3rd or lower

 

Verstappen 

For Verstappen to win Title if Finishes  Norris Needs Piastri Needs
1 4th or lower N/A
2 8th or lower 3rd or lower
3 9th or lower 2nd or lower

 

Piastri

For Piastri to win Title if Finishes  Norris Needs Verstappen Needs
1 6th or lower N/A
2 10th or lower 4th or lower

 

Last Time Out

Norris led from lights to flag in 2024 to secure McLaren’s first constructors’ title since 1998, as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top three for Ferrari, after Verstappen recklessly spun Piastri at the opening corner but the pair recovered to finish sixth and tenth respectively.

 

2025 Season Recaps

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