Grand Prix The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

So here we are, the final race of the season, and we have a three way fight for the Drivers World Championship. Lando Norris is in "pole position", with a twelve point lead over Max Verstappen. Max, in turn, has a four point lead over Oscar Piastri. Now is your chance to ruminate, cogitate, and speculate, about what the result might be, and what the outcome of the Championship will be. You might also take the opportunity to speculate over who might affect whom during the race, such as the suggestion by Red Bull at the end of the Qatar race that Kimi Antonelli deliberately got out of Lando Norris way. A suggestion they have now withdrawn, and profusely apologised for after Antonelli received death threats. Yes, seriously, there are people that deranged out there who can't tell the difference between sport and real life.

Sky TV (for those watching in the UK) have their usual in-depth coverage.

No lengthy opinion or character assassination from me yet, I shall save that for my Big Fat Season Review, which I'm sure you will all be delighted to know will be making a come back for 2025.

Enjoy.

 

[F1Brits_90]

red bull put out a 2nd statement, although its been hidden by their non apology to kimi antonelli "Regretfully, we have parted ways with Yuki Tsunoda for this weekend. Given the first three way title fight in 15 years, we felt it was essential to bring in a driver with proven experience of playing a major part under the pressure of a World Championship finale"

 

[Andyoak]

So someone who last raced in F1 13 years ago and didn't achieve much is somehow better qualified to support Max?

I smell bovine excrement.

 

[Brogan]

Fixed.

 

[F1Brits_90]

So someone who last raced in F1 13 years ago and didn't achieve much is somehow better qualified to support Max?

I smell bovine excrement.

ah sorry I think I might’ve gone a bit too serious with it i thought it was too outlandish to be true, either that or my Photoshop skills are better than I thought!

 

[cider_and_toast]

So someone who last raced in F1 13 years ago and didn't achieve much is somehow better qualified to support Max?

I smell bovine excrement.

I think it's supposed to be a joke based on Petrov having an impact on Vettel winning the title for RBR in 2010.

 

[Andyoak]

I'm working with the hse... my irony senses are seriously depleted.

 

[Johnny Carwash]

It’s going down to the wire, as McLaren didn’t make a driver choice.

 

[Christoon]

Who would have thought at the summer break that the title fight would still be this close heading into the final race? Yet Lando, Max and Oscar all arrive in Abu Dhabi with a real chance. Piastri missing FP1 due to regulations means he will have slightly less track time than the others, but he remains fully in the fight.

For fans attending, plenty will be happening around the circuit. The venue has several areas with games, photo spots, live entertainment, food stalls and activities throughout the weekend, plus evening shows that enhance the overall atmosphere. The likes of Post Malone, Katy Perry, Metallica, Elyanna and Benson Boone are all scheduled to perform at the 2025 event. This fan zones guide gives a good overview of the main zones and activities.

It is shaping up to be a great finale both on and off the track.

 

[F1Brits_90]

that hamilton lap in Q1 was odd he went from 1 & half tenths off piastri to 8 tenths off in final sector & out in Q1

 

[F1Brits_90]

great lap from max to take pole. & weirdly i think Lando might be pleased. as i be more relaxed with max ahead of me at the start than behind in case he spun me round like he did with piastri 12 months ago

 

[The Artist.....]

that hamilton lap in Q1 was odd he went from 1 & half tenths off piastri to 8 tenths off in final sector & out in Q1

Hamilton has failed to make it out of Q1 for three races in a row. His heart doesn’t seem in it any more - and maybe he should think about hanging up his overalls

 

[F1Brits_90]

Hamilton has failed to make it out of Q1 for three races in a row. His heart doesn’t seem in it any more - and maybe he should think about hanging up his overalls

if the ferrari is as bad as assumed. i think it might end of lewis hamilton in 12 months

 

[Il_leone]

if the ferrari is as bad as assumed. i think it might end of lewis hamilton in 12 months

Really Lewis needs to have a heart to heart talk with his Dad and drivers like Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell about things like this because unfortunately Niki Lauda is no longer around

He is either really down or really up and it can be draining

 

[The Artist.....]

Really Lewis needs to have a heart to heart talk with his Dad and drivers like Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell about things like this because unfortunately Niki Lauda is no longer around

He is either really down or really up and it can be draining

I really worry that the next stage is getting frustrated, and starting to have really big accidents. Look at other drivers who have stayed in motorsport beyond their prime

• Damon Hill always looked to be a second away from a big accident in 1999, and he looked relieved when he retired from the race in Japan
• Michele Alboreto - ran as an also ran in F1 for many years, and then was killed in sports cars - even his f1 experience in the latter years was characterised by lots of big accidents.
• Michael Schumacher - his return in 2010 was characterised by lower performance, and lots of silly accidents - including with Hamilton.

Even Senna in 1994 - his heart didn’t seem in it in the same way, as his main competitor had retired. Whilst he had the pace to put the car on pole, he looked haunted all through the season.

 

[F1Brits_90]

the thing with hamilton is that for the 1st 2 sectors he was on a par if not quicker with leclerc & then hemmoraged time in the final sector. i think it must be confidence or belief

 

[F1Brits_90]

also does this bode well for piastri the last 3 finales with 3 drivers going for the title. the huge outsider that needs alot of luck has got it.

• who saw Mansell tyre blowing.
• Hamilton sticking it in shanghai gravel
• Vitaly petrov making himself infamous in F1 Folklore

1986
Mansell – 70
Piquet – 69
Prost – 64

Prost Champion

2007
Hamilton – 107
Alonso – 103
Räikkönen – 100

Räikkönen Champion

2010
Alonso - 246
Webber - 238
Vettel - 231

Vettel Champion

 

[The Pits]

Now we just need to wait for the post race scrutineering!!

 

[cider_and_toast]

Lando takes the title then.

He did exactly what he needed to do in the final race. Brought it on home.

I admit again, I didn't see this coming but I'm over the moon for him.

 

[The Artist.....]

Ultimately, after all of the whining after Monza by Piastri’s fans, had that switch not taken place, then Max would have been leaving Abu Dhabi as world champion.