2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Fast Facts

Abu Dhabi hosts the last Grand Prix of the season, and it will also be the final appearance at a race weekend for the size of tyre that Formula 1 has used since 2022.

As from next season, while maintaining the same 18-inch rim diameter, the tyres will be slightly narrower to suit the new generation of cars developed as part of the overhaul of the technical regulations.

On the Tuesday following the Grand Prix (9 December) the Yas Marina circuit will host a group test with drivers at the wheel of mule cars, adapted to suit the 2026 range of tyres.

But before that, it will be time to celebrate on the last podium of the 2025 World Championship, where the drivers will wear a special edition of the famous Pirelli cap. The Abu Dhabi Podium Cap, produced by Pirelli Design, working with the designer Denis Dekovic, is beige in colour, evoking the desert dunes, and can be bought on the dedicated e-commerce site, https://store.pirelli.com.

The Compounds

Pirelli is sticking with the usual selection of compounds for the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi, namely the C3, C4 and C5.

Historically, the Yas Marina track sees graining on the tyres, but as from last year, this phenomenon seems to be relatively limited, and the greater resistance of the current tyres could reduce it to such an extent that even the Soft, usually only used in qualifying, could be a tyre around which to put together a race strategy.

At this track, degradation is thermal in nature and is generally seen on the rears due to the requirement for traction, especially in the final sector of the track.

The Track

Yas Marina has hosted the final race of the Formula 1 season 13 times. It is a modern, cutting-edge facility, the track is 5.281 kilometres long, and features 16 corners. The drivers know it well as it has long been the venue for the post-season test session.

Designed by Hermann Tilke, the track underwent an overhaul four years ago, which slightly reduced its length, while making it faster and more flowing, producing more overtaking opportunities, especially on the 1.2 kilometre-long straight between the slow turns 5 and 6.

Another interesting section is to be found through turns 10, 11 and 12, where drivers have to brake hard, thus generating heavy lateral loads on the car.

The track surface is made with aggregate imported from England and provides medium levels of abrasiveness and grip. To iron out some bumpy sections, the surface was redone this year from turn 1 to turn 4.

As in all night races, there will be a significant drop in temperature between the first and last sessions. Track conditions can change according to when the cars are on track, and they will also be affected by how much it rubbers in thanks to the support races, including Formula 2.

The Stats

This will be the 17th consecutive year that the Yas Marina circuit has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The first edition, in 2009, was won by Sebastian Vettel.

The most successful driver in the Emirates is Lewis Hamilton with five wins and the same number of pole positions to his name.

This year, Max Verstappen could equal that record as he is on four. His team, Red Bull Racing, has the most wins (7) while Mercedes is just one behind.

It was here in Abu Dhabi in 2021 that the German team secured its eighth Constructors’ world title, on the same day that Max Verstappen secured the Drivers’ crown for the first time.

How to Watch the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Fast Facts

• Abu Dhabi made its F1 debut in 2009 as the sport’s first-ever twilight race, with the start taking place at sunset. Around 4,700 light fixtures are used to illuminate the track.
• Several modifications were made to the track layout ahead of the 2021 race, changing the lap length from 5.554 km to 5.281 km.
• These changes include removing the chicane at the start of the second sector and widening the following hairpin. The twisty chicanes at the start of the final sector were also replaced by one long, banked corner.
• Like other twilight and night races on the calendar, FP1 and FP3 take place in the daytime. FP2, Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself take place at night or as the sun sets.
• That poses a challenge to the engineers and drivers who must accommodate for the changes in tyre and car behaviour owing to the differing ambient and track temperatures.
• The pitlane at the Yas Marina Circuit is unique in F1, in that it features a tunnel that runs underneath Turn One. Drivers pass under the track at the pit lane exit, re-joining on the left-hand side of Turn 2.
• Yas Marina has hosted more season-ending F1 races than any other, with 13.
• The circuit has seen four world champions crowned. Sebastian Vettel in 2010, Lewis Hamilton in 2014, Nico Rosberg in 2016 and Max Verstappen in 2021.
• Mercedes has six wins at Yas Marina. Four with Lewis Hamilton (2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019), Valtteri Bottas (2017) and Nico Rosberg (2015)
• George Russell sealed his F2 title at the circuit in 2018, before making the step up to F1 the following season.
• In 2024, the Mercedes team celebrated the end of its history-making partnership with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.