Abu Dhabi Grand Prix LIVE!
All eyes will be on the desert this afternoon as a thrilling F1 season concludes with a three-way fight for the title. The climax to the championship could scarcely be better set up with reigning champion Max Verstappen on pole position, alongside title favourite Lando Norris on the front row, with Oscar Piastri in P3. After 23 grands prix, it all comes down to this.
For Norris, the task is simple: his 12-point lead over Verstappen means that any podium finish would seal a first world title. Most simply, Verstappen needs to win and Norris finish fourth or lower. A second-place finish would also be enough for the four-time champion, but then Norris would need to finish seventh or lower. Pisastri needs to win the race and Norris to finish sixth or lower.
One of the great F1 seasons has seen all three drivers secure seven wins along the way. Verstappen won in Abu Dhabi last year but there is a school of thought that the track, with its long corners, could benefit the McLaren pair. It is set to a fascinating finale, with lights out at 1pm UK time. Follow the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix live below!
Thanks for following along today.
Catch you in March for Norris’ title defence!
More from world champion Norris
15:03 , Alex Young“It’s incredible, surreal … I dreamed of this for a long time, everybody does. I managed to get the job done, with an incredible team. The last 16, 17 years of my life trying to chase this dream … so I’m pretty happy.
“I’ve got my family, my girlfriend here. I managed to do them proud, put some smiles on their faces. My mum and dad helped me chase this dream – I love all you guys.”
Norris continues
14:56 , Alex Young“Not many people in the world or in Formula 1 get to experience what I’ve experienced this year.
“I’m happy for everyone more than me, I’m just crazy happy!”
Lando Norris reacts
14:46 , Alex Young“I didn’t think I’d cry, but I did. It’s been a long journey. I’d like to thank my guys, my team, my parents.
“We did it, I’m so proud of everyone. [Oscar and Max] didn’t make my life easy this year … it’s been a long season.
“I’ve been at McLaren for nine years – plenty of crazy, difficult times, plenty of good times. I’m proud to bring them a world title, proud of everyone I hopefully made cry.”
The boy who believed. The man who achieved.#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/BoKxoRDKZb
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2025
Abu Dhabi GP result
14:37 , Alex Young1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
An emotional Norris thanked his team over the radio second after crossing the finish line.
Verstappen won the race, with Oscar Piastri in second.
“I’m definitely not disappointed,” Verstappen tells his team.
LANDO NORRIS IS WORLD CHAMPION!
14:32 , Alex YoungVerstappen is over the line but... FOR THE FIRST TIME, LANDO NORRIS IS WORLD CHAMPION!
Lap 58
14:30 , Alex YoungNorris has been told to calm down a bit, he doesn’t need to overtake Piastri.
He is seconds away from being world champion!
Lap 58
14:28 , Alex YoungVerstappen begins the final lap of the season. He will earn his eighth GP win of the season but lose his title.
Lap 55
14:27 , Alex YoungNorris is closing in on Piastri in P2. Verstappen needs a miracle.
Lap 52
14:23 , Alex YoungAs it stands, Norris will win the title by two points.
How valuable that late overtake last week will be.
Lap 50
14:20 , Alex YoungIt is curious as to why Red Bull haven’t pitted Verstappen. It would cut the gap and allow the reigning champion to back up the field and leave Norris vunerable.
The win today is guaranteed, so he has to roll the dice to win the title.
Lap 48
14:16 , Alex YoungVerstappen is running out of hope, as we enter the final 10 laps.
Lap 46
14:12 , Alex YoungAt the moment, this is playing into Norris’s hands.
Even if Leclerc overtakes Norris, McLaren can pit Pisatri to promote Norris into second place - and a title win.
Lap 44
14:11 , Alex YoungVerstappen’s gap at the front is big enough to allow another pit stop. A free pit stop.
Piastri needs to be 1.5secs faster per lap to close the gap, which is unlikely.
Lap 42
14:09 , Alex YoungPiastri finally pits, and it’s a quick one, prompting claps in the McLaren pit lane.
For Norris, who will be champion as it stands, Leclerc is faster and closing in.
Lap 41
14:06 , Alex YoungVerstappen is closing in on Piastri as Norris pits for a second time!
As Norris comes out of the pit lane, Verstappen overtakes Piastri.
Norris has avoided the Leclerc undercut.
Lap 40
14:05 , Alex YoungLeclerc is pitting, so it is a two-stop race... what does that mean for McLaren?
Piastri was just about to pit, does that change things now?
Lap 37
14:01 , Alex YoungVerstappen puts in the fastest lap of the race, as Norris builds up a five-second gap to Leclerc. Breathing space for the top three.
Piastri will surely pit soon.
Lap 35
13:57 , Alex YoungThe gap between Verstappen and Norris has widened to 5.9secs.
Lap 34
13:56 , Alex YoungVerstappen has been told that, if there is a safety car, he would still beat Piastri when the McLaren pits.
Lap 32
13:53 , Alex YoungHamilton pits for the second time, taking off the hard tyres.
Will others now pit for a second time?
Lap 31
13:52 , Alex YoungAs it stands, Norris will win the title, Piastri will finish second with Verstappen in third in the standings.
Lap 29
13:49 , Alex YoungLeclerc has been told to move to “Plan C”.
Does that mean a two-stop race? That would be to attempt the undercut on Norris, and could force the McLaren into a second stop, too.
Lap 28
13:48 , Alex YoungNorris now records the fastest lap.
Tsuonda is given a five-second penalty for “more than one change of direction” in that Norris tussle.
We wait on Norris.
Lap 27
13:44 , Alex YoungLeclerc records the fastest lap of the race, so far. He’s now 1.9secs behind Norris.
Lap 26
13:44 , Alex YoungRace control have noted Tsunoda for “forcing an opponent off the track”, along with Norris for “leaving the track to gain an advantage.”
Good and bad news for Norris.
Lap 25
13:42 , Alex YoungVerstappen comes back in at P2, 18.8secs behind Piastri.
Norris is 5.2secs further back in P3.
Lap 24
13:40 , Alex YoungVerstappen is pitting, as Norris overtakes Tsunoda while going off the track.
Will Norris be in trouble for that? He had no choice.
Lap 22
13:39 , Alex YoungLeclerc is back to putting pressure on Norris, following the McLaren through the field.
Tsunoda is holding them both off so far.
Lap 20
13:35 , Alex YoungNorris is flying up the field, and reels in Stroll and Lawson in one corner to climb into P5.
Ahead of him? Verstappen’s team-mate Tsunoda.
Lap 19
13:34 , Alex YoungNorris into P8 and then P7 in quick succession. Two big overtakes, which needed to be done.
Lap 17
13:31 , Alex YoungNorris pits, surely for the only time. Where will he come out?
Behind Antonelli in P9. McLaren ask Piastri if “Plan A” is still possible. “Yes,” he replies.
You assume that is for Piastri to stay out on those hards for as long as possible.
Lap 16
13:29 , Alex YoungNorris is told to “keep building this gap on Leclerc, to give us choices”
Lap 15
13:26 , Alex YoungRussell has pitted, leaving the track at P5 and rejoining at P13.
Lawson has been handed a five-second penalty for “erratic driving”.
Lap 13
13:25 , Alex Young“My graining is definitely picking up,” says Norris. That is expected, but still less than ideal.
Leclerc is 1.5secs behind in P4.
Lap 11
13:24 , Alex Young“No, not a surprise [to see the McLarens swap positions after the first lap],” says Zak Brown.
Was that the plan all along? Hmm.
“So far so good,” Brown adds from the pit wall.
“I can’t say we’re comfortable but we’re in good shape and need to manage the risk.”
Ninth lap
13:20 , Alex YoungHamilton has already pitted, getting rid of those soft tyres in favour of some hard.
Eighth lap
13:17 , Alex YoungMcLaren ask Pisastri to pick up the pace and put the pressure on Verstappen. That would, in turn, help Norris so he is not racing through dirty air.
Seventh lap
13:15 , Alex YoungRed Bull give Verstappen a ring, suggesting he may have to save his tyres a bit longer than first expected. He’s 2.3s clear.
Fourth lap
13:13 , Alex YoungNorris is now widening the gap between himself and Leclerc, which is very good news for the Briton.
Verstappen is cruising. He is doing what he needs to do.
Third lap
13:12 , Alex YoungPiastri is now just shy of 2secs behind Verstappen, but he plans on remaining out on track longer than his two title races.
Second lap
13:09 , Alex YoungThe gap between Piastri and Norris is widening. Piastri’s hard tyres give him quicker acceleration.
Norris is now looking behind him, with Leclerc in P4.
Verstappen is now 1.8seconds in front.
First lap
13:08 , Alex YoungA superb move from Piastri to overtake his team-mate and into P2.
Norris is down into third.
Verstappen immediately goes across to block Norris, and takes the first corner as the top three come out in the same order.
Lights out!
13:06 , Alex YoungHere we go!
Norris and Verstappen start on medium tyres, with Pisastri on the hard. That could create some traffic behind P3, and help the Australian later in the race.
In theory.
The formation lap is underway.
The last 10 Abu Dhabi Grands Prix were won from pole.
That’s what Verstappen needs, but it won’t be enough if Norris finishes on pole. We are minutes away.
We’ve had a stunning flyover, which included a huge jet. It’s almost time.
Lando Norris is quite clearly trying to calm his nerves. He stands for the pre-match festivities, with plenty of deep breaths and long exhales.
Plenty of famous faces on the grid, from Ronaldinho, to Jannik Sinner to Ana de Armas.
Micah Richards is screaming in people’s faces, as per usual. Gordon Ramsey is keeping his distance.
Max's greatest day?
12:41 , Alex YoungShould he win, you would think today’s title win would go as Max Verstappen’s greatest achievement. Especially considering all of the controversy surrounding his maiden title.
From over 100 points back, to winning on the final day - it would be the greatest comeback in the sport’s history. And among the greatest in all of sport.
The grid is fast filling up, and the pre-race walk has begun.
Hamilton nightmare sesaon with Ferrari
12:35 , Alex YoungLewis Hamilton said yesterday that he has "unbearable amount of anger and rage" following his latest dismal display in a Ferrari.
Hamilton is set to finish a season without a single podium for the first time in his career after he suffered a hat-trick of Q1 eliminations.
In his debut season in red, Hamilton has been out-qualified by team-mate Charles Leclerc 19 times in 24 appearances. Leclerc is also 78 points ahead of him in the championship.
Asked if he had an action plan in place to improve his dire run, Hamilton said: "Not at the moment, no. I don't have any plans for anything."
And when pressed on whether he will be able to reset from the worst season of his career, he added: "Time will tell. It is the shortest break."
Latest odds ahead of lights out
12:28 , Alex YoungLando Norris remains the heavy favourite to get the job done today.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Winner
- Max Verstappen - 1/3
- Lando Norris - 3/1
- Oscar Piastri - 9/1
- George Russell - 30/1
- Charles Leclerc - 90/1
Drivers' Championship winner
- Lando Norris - 1/4
- Max Verstappen - 11/4
- Oscar Piastri - 14/1
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
Does Piastri have a chance?
12:22 , Alex YoungOscar Piastri left the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August looking comfortably on course to win the title - with a 34-point advantage over Norris and a 104-point gap to Verstappen.
But his season has unravelled over the eight races since and he heads into today's race facing the prospect of having to help Norris to his first title instead.
McLaren chief executive Zak Brown has made it clear he expects whichever of his drivers is not in contention to help the other in the fight against Max Verstappen, as the Woking-based team bid to secure their first title double since 1998.
Piastri, though, can take some encouragement from history.
Kimi Raikkonen won the title for Ferrari in 2007 having gone into the final race of the season third in the standings.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel similarly clinched the first of his four titles in 2010 despite going into the season finale in Abu Dhabi in third overall.
Wha Piastri has said
12:15 , Alex Young"Until either Lando or Max cross the line in front of me, I've still got a chance of winning the title. So we'll see how the race pans out.
"I'm sure we [the McLaren team] will talk about [race strategy], yes.
"I need things to happen in the race to win the championship. So I'll wait and see if those things happen."
What Verstappen has said
12:05 , Alex Young"I will go all out. I have nothing to lose.
"I'm going to try to win the race. I'm going to defend. If I need to attack, I'll attack, because what can happen? You're either second or third, or you win - and that would be fantastic.
“But I need help and luck to take the championship."
What Norris has said
11:55 , Alex Young"I expect everything, so let's wait and see. I wanted to be on pole but we didn't have the pace. I am behind the one person I wanted to be ahead of so that is why I am disappointed.
"I would sign for [finishing second] now, but life is not that simple sadly.
"I will plan as to how we can win the race and that is how I want to win the season, standing on top, so nothing changes from that side.
"Normally to be hunted is fine because you have an advantage. I feel good, I am comfortable and ready to go. You just can't plan for everything. I am excited to get the final race done, and go on holiday."
Grid order
11:45 , Alex YoungBeyond the top three, here’s how the rest of the grid line up.
It has been a brutal year for Lewis Hamilton, who signs off his first season with Ferrari in P16.
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
6. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
7. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)
8. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
10. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
11. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
12. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
14. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
16. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
17. Alex Albon (Williams)
18. Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber)
19. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
Weather latest
11:35 , Alex YoungOne certainty heading into the race is the weather.
Few will be surprised to learn that warm and dry conditions are anticipated for this desert grand prix.
Sunny, humid conditions are expected on race day, with a high of 29C and a low of 19C.
How can Oscar Piastri win F1 title?
11:25 , Alex YoungPiastri’s odds of clinching a first-ever drivers’ championship in Abu Dhabi are paper thin - he needs a lot of cards to fall in his favour.
His fate is in his own hands, to a certain extent. To stand a chance of nicking top spot, he must finish the grand prix either first or second.
Piastri winning the race would immediately count Verstappen out of the running, but the Australian would then need his team-mate Norris to finish sixth or worse to better his points tally.
And he would require an even greater implosion from Norris should he finish second. Piastri would need Norris to cross the line no higher than 10th, and Verstappen no higher than fourth, if he is to be crowned champion in that scenario.
How can Max Verstappen win the F1 title?
11:15 , Alex YoungMax Verstappen must overcome a 12-point margin, which means he needs Lando Norris to finish off the podium.
Verstappen can win the championship with a third consecutive race win, provided Norris finishes no higher than fourth.
If Verstappen crosses the line in second, he would need Norris to totally self-destruct and finish no higher than eighth, with Oscar Piastri no higher than third.
A third-place finish could also be enough for Verstappen, but he would need Norris to cross the line in ninth place or worse, with Piastri no higher than second.
How can Lando Norris win F1 title?
11:05 , Alex YoungDespite his struggles in Qatar, Norris is still in a strong position ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He comes into the event with a 12-point cushion to second-placed Verstappen and a 16-point advantage over Piastri.
Any podium finish, will be enough for Norris to be crowned world champion.
He can also win the title with a finish between fourth and sixth, provided neither Verstappen nor Piastri win the grand prix.
Should Norris finish the race in seventh or eighth place, he can maintain top spot if Verstappen finishes in third place or below, and Piastri finishes second or below.
If Norris crosses the line in ninth, 10th, or outside of the points altogether, though, he will only clinch the title if Piastri finishes no higher than third, and Verstappen no higher than fourth.
Title race standings
10:55 , Alex YoungHere’s where we’re at after 23 races.
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Lay of the land
10:46 , Alex YoungIt is the first time since the unforgettable battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021 that the Formula One title fight has gone right down to the wire and the final race.
That was Verstappen’s first of four consecutive world titles and the Red Bull superstar remains firmly in the hunt for a fifth in a row back at the Yas Marina Circuit, where he is a four-time winner.
Verstappen is on pole position in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), pipping championship rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren to top spot on Saturday as he seeks to overturn a gap to leader Norris that now stands at only 12 points after Verstappen’s victory in Qatar last weekend - his fifth in the last eight races in what has been a remarkable resurgence.
But another victory for Verstappen will not be enough alone on Sunday.
The situation is more difficult still for team-mate Piastri, who led the way for much of the season but is now 16 points behind Norris and needs a lot to go his way in the race to snatch his own first championship in unlikely fashion.
How to watch Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
10:40 , Alex YoungTV channel: In the UK, the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is being shown live on Sky Sports.
Coverage of Grand Prix Sunday begins at 12pm GMT on Sky Sports F1, with the race itself on the same channel at 1pm.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch events unfold live online via the Sky Go app.
Welcome
10:36 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the F1 title decider at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After 23 grands prix, it all comes down to a battle in the desert - and is beautifully poised with Max Verstappen on pole, Lando Norris on P2 and Oscar Piastri in P3.
Can Norris finally get over the line? Will Verstappen complete the most unlikely of comeback to finish world title no5? Can Piastri shock everyone?
It’s lights out at 1pm GMT. Stick with us.
