What time is qualifying on Saturday?
The all-important qualifying session at the Yas Marina Circuit takes place at 2pm (GMT).
The final practice session is at 10:30am on Saturday.
(Getty Images)Read more
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 14:30
ANALYSIS: The three F1 title finales that show why Lando Norris is far from safe in Abu Dhabi
This weekend’s three-way fight in the desert is the first F1 championship-decider involving more than two drivers for 15 years. Back then, a four-way hammer-and-tong concluded with a surprise champion at the chequered flag: Sebastian Vettel’s first of four triumphs, and other shock winners before him on the final day, are telling case studies for Sunday’s final curtain call.
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 19:00
F1 constructor standings heading into the final race:
Mercedes are 33 points ahead of Red Bull in the battle for second in the championship.
1. McLaren – 800 points (champions)
6. Racing Bulls – 92 points
7. Aston Martin – 80 points
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 18:00
Lewis Hamilton on drivers’ end-of-season dinner:
“Class of 2025. We’re the only people in the world to do what we do and for that we’re incredibly lucky. I’m grateful for this group of drivers I have the privilege of racing against and even though we’re competitors, there’s nothing but respect and I’m proud to call them friends.
“Hope to give you all a great last race of the season.”
The F1 drivers gather for their 2025 end-of-season dinner (Instagram – lewishamilton)
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 17:00
Can Norris join this special list?
Mike Hawthorn (1958)Graham Hill (1962, 1968)Jim Clark (1963, 1965)John Surtees (1964)2) Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973)James Hunt (1976)Nigel Mansell (1992)Damon Hill (1996)Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)Jenson Button (2009)
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 16:00
Lando Norris can play it down all he likes – F1 title would be life-changing
By Kieran Jackson in Abu Dhabi
Lando Norris, leader by 12 points, did his best to defuse the enormity of the occasion. “It’s the same as every weekend, nothing changes,” he began. Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, flanking the Briton on either side, echoed a similar sentiment. This was all their years of media training at the most simplistic level.
Moments later, a Brazilian reporter couldn’t help but remark: “You all say it’s a normal weekend but, well… it’s not.” This seemed the appropriate cut-through moment.
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 15:00
11. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
12. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
15. Alex Albon (Williams)
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
18. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
19. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
20. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 14:23
1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:23.083
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.363
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.379
4. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +0.418
5. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) +0.467
6. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +0.487
7. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +0.574
8. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.575
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.625
10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.667
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 14:16
The answer is no; Norris and Verstappen did not have time to set another lap.
For the championship leader, a perfect day. Verstappen has been close in second but the gap in this session stands at a healthy 0.363 seconds.
George Russell takes third, with Ollie Bearman and Nico Hulkenberg rounding off the top-five. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, has work to do, down in 11th.
6-10: Bortoleto, Hadjar, Leclerc, Alsono, Antonelli
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 14:03
Norris on softs, Verstappen on softs.
Will we have any late change to the top of the leaderboard?!
Kieran Jackson5 December 2025 13:59