F1 title permutations at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix plus UK start time and where to watch thrilling finale

The 2025 Formula 1 season concludes this weekend at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and there is a three-way title battle still to be decided.

After Max Verstappen claimed victory in Qatar, despite McLaren starting on pole and second, it all comes down to one final showdown.

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Between Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, there are just 16 points in it.

Norris had a lead of 100 points over Verstappen earlier this season but we are now set for an incredible last stand.

It will be decided in Abu Dhabi, and everyone is hoping for excitement and a bit less controversy than what we experienced in 2021 between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

If the Dutchman somehow pulls it off, it would be his fifth consecutive Drivers Championship.

Meanwhile, Norris wants to be the first Brit since Hamilton in 2020 to win it all, and Piastri is looking to be the first Australian since 1980 when Alan Jones claimed the championship.

Norris had the chance to become the champion in Qatar, but he only managed to finish fourth, and could have been even lower had he not managed to pass Kimi Antonelli in potentially controversial circumstances.

So, we are all set for what should be one of the best finishes to an F1 season in years.

What time does the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix start?

The race weekend for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will start on Friday, December 5 and last until Sunday, December 7.

It is being held at the Yas Marina Circuit, and the race is scheduled for 1pm UK time on Sunday.

Qualifying takes place on the Saturday at 2pm.

The entire race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 with build up to the race starting at 11:30am.

Fans can also catch highlights of the race on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday night.

talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also be across all the latest build-up, news and reaction from Qatar.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: What has been said?

After claiming victory in the desert, Verstappen revealed his delight.

He said: “This was an incredible race for us. We made the right call as a team to box. It was smart. And super-happy to win here and stay in the fight to the head, incredible.

“It was a little bit offset because of it all but for us it was a very strong race on a weekend when it was a little bit tough, but we still got it done.”

Meanwhile, McLaren got their strategy wrong and cost their drivers the chance to win.

This annoyed Norris, who said: “Obviously not our greatest day, not our greatest weekend.”

But he’s pleased to still be leading the pack with one more race to come.

“I put myself in this position. I’m still happy.

“It wasn’t our finest day, it wasn’t my finest weekend in terms of driving and putting things together.

“But that’s life. Everyone has bad weekends. I take it on the chin, we’ll take it on the chin, and we’ll see what we can do next weekend.”

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Drivers Standings

Standings ahead of Abu Dhabi

Lando Norris / McLaren / 408 points
Max Verstappen / Red Bull / 396 points
Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 392 points
George Russell / Mercedes / 309 points
Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 230 points
Lewis Hamilton / Ferrari / 152 points
Kimi Antonelli / Mercedes / 150 points
Alexander Albon / Williams / 73 points
Carlos Sainz / Williams / 64 points
Isack Hadjar / Racing Bulls / 51 points
Nico Hulkenberg / Kick Sauber / 49 points
Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 48 points
Oliver Bearman / Haas / 41 points
Liam Lawson / Racing Bulls / 36 points
Yuki Tsunoda / Red Bull / 33 points
Esteban Ocon / Haas / 32 points
Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 32 points
Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 22 points
Gabriel Bortoleto / Kick Sauber / 19 points
Franco Colapinto / Alpine / 0 points
Jack Doohan / Alpine / 0 points