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Abu Dhabi GP: Start Time, Schedule, Weather, Predictions for F1 Race

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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Abu Dhabi GP: Start Time, Schedule, Weather, Predictions for F1 Race

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Dec 5, 2025 9:36 AM ET

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The 2025 F1 season comes down to one last sunset in Abu Dhabi, and for the first time in more than a decade, the finale features a true three-way championship fight. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri arrive separated by just 16 points, with a maximum of 25 still on the table. It is the kind of razor-thin title decider modern F1 rarely produces, a throwback to the sport’s wildest finales.

Yas Marina has hosted more season deciders than any track in F1 history, but this one stands apart. McLaren entered with momentum lost, Red Bull with momentum found, and the title picture so unstable that even the smallest slip could decide everything.

Weather Forecast: Hot and Dry

Abu Dhabi promises the same baking conditions seen last weekend.

Expect:

Highs near 27°C (81°F)
Cloud cover on Friday
Clear, sunny conditions on Saturday and Sunday

It’s ideal weather for a twilight showdown, with track temperatures falling rapidly into the evening, a key strategic factor at Yas Marina.

How to Watch the 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Fans in the United States can follow every session of the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP live throughout the weekend across the ESPN network and its streaming partners. Friday’s running begins with Practice 1 in the early hours of the morning, airing at 4:25 a.m. ET on ESPN2, followed by Practice 2 later in the morning at 7:55 a.m. ET on ESPNU.

Final practice takes place on Saturday at 5:25 a.m. ET, returning to ESPN2 ahead of the all-important qualifying session at 8:55 a.m. ET, which will also be broadcast live on ESPN2.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing (L), Lando Norris (M) and Oscar Piastri (R) of McLaren Formula 1 team during a press conference event in Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the F1 2025 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on December 4, 2025 Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Sunday’s championship-deciding Grand Prix begins at 7:55 a.m. ET, with full race coverage available on ESPN. Viewers who prefer streaming can watch every practice session, qualifying, and the race itself live through Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. Additionally, race coverage will be available on ESPN Unlimited for fans who want online-only access across devices.

With the title on the line and all three championship contenders set for a historic showdown under the Abu Dhabi sunset, every session promises drama, tension, and decisive moments, making this one of the most essential F1 weekends to tune into all season.

Prediction: Chaos Incoming

Championship[ deciders have a habit of rejecting logic. On paper, McLaren has the pace. In reality, the past two races suggest the team is struggling under pressure, while Verstappen’s late push has placed Red Bull in a psychological sweet spot.

A bold but defensible prediction:

Verstappen wins
Piastri finishes second
Charles Leclerc takes third
Norris finishes fourth, losing the championship by a handful of points

If history wants to repeat itself, this would be the closest thing to a 2007-style sting.

The Final Battle: Norris vs. Verstappen vs. Piastri

The standings entering Round 24 tell the story of a season that refused to settle down:

Lando Norris - 408 points
Max Verstappen - 396 points
Oscar Piastri - 392 points

Norris once held a commanding lead, but a disqualification in Las Vegas and a costly strategy error in Qatar tightened the championship dramatically. Verstappen’s late-season surge has pulled him within striking distance of title number five, while Piastri remains close enough that a single mistake from either rival could elevate him to the top.

Norris must finish third or higher to guarantee the championship himself. Anything less opens the door for Verstappen or Piastri to steal it.

For McLaren, the pressure is enormous. For Verstappen, who thrives in high-stakes finales, the situation looks eerily familiar.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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