Do or Die Time in Abu Dhabi
Posted on December 5, 2025
It’s all on the line for F1’s season 2025
SHOULD MCLAREN FAIL TO WIN THE F1 CHAMPIONSHIP at Abu Dhabi this weekend, there’s three places I would prefer not to be – their Pit-wall, their Pit-box, or the sensational McLaren Technology Centre home to 1000+ employees, built around a man-made lake in parkland just outside Woking, Surrey, in the UK. Because their last few weeks have been a disaster quite unlike any other!
And these particularly venues would not be particularly pleasant places to be!
But should they manage to hold out Red Bull’s mighty Max Verstappen and fall over the line with a win from either current front-runner Lando Norris or third man Oscar Piastri, it will leave an indelible mark in the history books. The stuff of veritable legends!
Simply put the American-led British outfit seemingly lost their collective way, rubbing their hands with glee and congratulating themselves over the squillions they collected with a powerful win in securing their second consecutive Constructors Championship at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 5, 2025.
Or, perhaps, all will be forgiven. But I seriously doubt it!
F1 title conspiracy theory raised in Parliament
I’VE ALWAYS HAD a considered respect for Queensland Senator Matt Canavan and was intrigued when he boldly raised an Oscar Piastri conspiracy theory during a Senate meeting.
After McLaren’s strategy balls-up virtually cost the Aussie victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, the politician brought up the subject before an Australian parliamentary hearing this week.
At the Australian Senate Rural, Matt raised concerns to Regional Affairs Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm, about McLaren’s “treatment” of Oscar.
“It’s been a bit of a frustrating night for some Australians. I don’t know who to ask this to, but you deal with transport and cars. So do you think McLaren is biased against Oscar Piastri and costing him the world championship?”
And, Minister Chisholm’s Response:
“I definitely think he’s copped some raw decisions this year. As someone with a daughter who has become obsessed with F1, she will be very upset when she gets up this morning.”
No question Oscar appeared on course to claim a crucial win in Qatar, before his team’s error handed victory to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Aussie great hope now teeters precariously heading into Abu Dhabi – 16 points behind his teammate, and four adrift of Max.
Yet another Hermann Tilke Masterpiece
This year has taken us to 20 countries – some more than once – covering thousands upon thousands of kilometres across the globe and now it’s time for the 24th and final round of the 2025 season.
Here’s Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur’s take on a race lap of Yas Marina:
The lap begins with a short straight into the first left hand turn where overtaking is practically impossible! The crucial section for moving up the order is the middle one, which ends in the wide turn 5 hairpin and then the 1.2 kilometre straight where DRS can be activated. This is where one is most likely to see wheel to wheel battles before the tricky entry to turn 6 and the following chicane. The final twisty and technical sector goes around the hotel and rarely witnesses any overtaking prior to the finish line.
By the way, in line with Scuderia Ferrari HP’s commitment to giving young drivers valuable track time – in accordance with FIA rules – Arthur Leclerc replaces Lewis Hamilton in Friday’s first free practice session.
Pirelli’s Tyres and Strategy
For Yas Marina 2025, there is no surprise Pirelli has chosen the usual selection of compounds, C3 Hard, C4 Medium and C5 Soft.
In the distant past graining has been noticeable around this track, but in recent years it has been less prevalent and the increased resistance of the current tyres means that even the Soft is capable of completing a longer stint than in the past.
According to the Pirelli gurus, degradation is a feature here and generally thermal in nature, mainly across the rear axle because of the traction demands, particularly in the final sector.
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place at night, starting at sunset – around sundown 17h00 local time – with temperatures dropping rapidly. So, the second free practice session is particularly relevant as conditions are closest to those encountered in both qualifying, and the race.
The event runs to the traditional format with two free practice sessions on Friday. On Saturday, drivers are back on track for the third free practice session, useful for fine tuning the cars for qualifying.
Check, below, for WA track times for the Abu Dhabi event weekend.
The Abu Dhabi sun sets on the final race of the Formula 1 season as the Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday – run over 58 laps, and a distance of 306.183 kilometres.
No rest for the Teams, or Drivers!
The final moments of track action of 2025 are scheduled for the Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday! It’s time for the end-of-season test, with teams running two cars, one of them specially adapted to test the Pirelli 2026 tyres. Generally, drivers are fulfilling their final on track commitments for 2025 and will take turns – perhaps for the last time behind – the wheel of their 2025 beasts.
On a Sad Note
Red Bull confirmed earlier this week that Yuki Tsunoda will lose his seat at the end of the season, with Isack Hadjar stepping up as Max Verstappen’s new teammate for F1 2026.
British/Swedish driver Arvid Lindblad has been promoted from F2 to partner Kiwi Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, leaving Yuki without a drive for next season.
The diminutive Japanese driver will instead fulfil the role of Red Bull’s test and reserve driver.
And a final word from Fred Vasseur
“Abu Dhabi brings a long and challenging season to a close, for the drivers and for everyone in the team. At Yas Marina, we will push until the very end, with the whole team aiming to finish the Championship on a positive note.”
A sentiment no doubt echoed by every team in the paddock!
Race Schedule
MY TIME WA
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX
Yas Marina Circuit | 05 – 07 December
Practice 1
Friday 5th December 17:30
Practice 2
Friday 5th December 21:00
Practice 3
Saturday 6th December18:30
QUALIFYING
Saturday 6th December 22:00
Race
Sunday 7th December 21:00
Next Event
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX
Albert Park Circuit Melbourne I 05 – 08 March 2026
EDITED by AC
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