‘25 Abu Dhabi GP
About the Grand Prix: The inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix took place on 1 November 2009 and has been on the F1 calendar since. Over its 15+ season presence, Red Bulls lead in constructor wins with 7. Max Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the GP from 2020 to 2024 with four consecutive victories, until Lando snapped the race victory streak with McLaren's first win in Abu Dhabi since 2011. The race is a night race and has hosted the F1 season finale since 2009.
About the Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit is a Permanent racing facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Designed by Hermann Tilkke, construction began in May 2007. The circuit opened in 2009. It is a sixteen-corner permanent motor racing circuit that is 3.281 miles (5.281 km), and the race is 58 laps long.
(Listed by Constructors standings)
1. McLaren. The Driver's title comes down to the very last race. I'm sure the McLaren team (Lando or Oscar) would have preferred for one of the two drivers to have the title locked by now, but Max Verstappen is waiting in the dusk, ready to strike. It's up to Lando this weekend; a podium finish secures the title, and he could leave Abu Dhabi as an F1 world champion. Oscar needs a few more things to go his way; his only real option is a race win, and he hopes his teammate and Max struggle to score any significant points. Nothing is really out of possibility, and the tension is so heavy. It all comes down to one more night race in the desert.
2. Mercedes. Mercedes did what they needed to do heading into this final triple header. Even with a surging Verstappen, Kimi and George got the essential points necessary to all but lock up second in the constructors. The team needs only a few points to ensure they walk away from Abu Dhabi in second place. This race is really about pride; if George or Kimi can find their way to the podium, it will only increase the drama and significance of the finishing positions in this last race. Good job, Mercedes, you've nearly completed it.
3. Red Bull. So much is happening in the Red Bull garage over the last few days. The full-on championship battle that Max is currently in, the new Driver's lineup for the 2026 season being released, and the realization that it will be Yuki's last race as a Red Bull driver. So much to play out over the weekend. Does Max leave a five-time champ, or will McLaren pull this off? Can Yuki leave with a last-chance success, ending his five-season stint with Red Bull? A lot of different emotions are being felt in the RB garage this weekend.
4. Ferrari. Ferrari has not had the best start to the final triple header, with a best finish of fourth and two eighth-place finishes, not the ending to the season Ferrari was hoping for. The team did have two cars on the podium last year in Abu Dhabi, and Lewis Hamilton leads all drivers with five wins. The team could pull off some last-chance luck and find their way on the final podium of 2025. Overall, these last few weekends have been brutal for Ferrari.
5. Williams. Carlos Sainz did it again, another podium. The success is impressive to see. Even with a struggling Albon and a late surging Sainz, Albon still leads Sainz in the points standings, which is wild, because Sainz has been on fire this last push of the season. Williams clinched fifth place in the constructors, its best finish since 2017.
6. VCARB. This team has been strong all season, still 8 points up on Aston Martin, sixth place isn't completely wrapped up, but Aston Martin would need a stellar weekend to pass VCARB. Lots of news coming out of Red Bull this week; Liam and Arvid will be driving for VCARB, and Isack will be moving up to the Red Bull team. One last go with the team.
7. Aston Martin. Eight behind VCARB, seven ahead of Haas; points would be helpful this weekend to secure seventh place or, with a bit of luck, take sixth place at the last second. Aston Martin needs a great weekend if they want to shake up the standings at all. While the focus feels like it's on next season with Newey at the helm, one more weekend is needed by AM to close this season out on a lighter note.
8. Haas. The five-race points streak ended in Qatar; the team was on a hot streak. Seven behind Aston Martin, five ahead of Kick Sauber, Haas needs to maintain its standings if not for a last-second sneak attack on AMR. Nico qualified fourth last season and finished the race in the points. Can Ollie carry that torch?
9. Kick-Sauber. The last race as "Sauber"; the next time we see this team, it will be Audi F1. A bit sad when you think of the long history of the Sauber team. This team has been electric and memorable all season long. Even with a bit of a struggling car, they have pulled off some fantastic weekends. The team needs five points to move up to eighth place. It's not out of the question; can Nico or Gabi pull off some magic one more time for Sauber?
10. Alpine. There have been some signs of improvement with Alpine, but they have not been able to capitalize on this final triple header. Gasly qualified well and finished in the points last season. Anything for Alpine would be a nice send-off for a tough season at Alpine.
