Written by: Swikblog Sports Desk
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 7 December 2025
The 2025 Formula 1 season comes down to its final chapter — and the stakes could not be higher. After a dramatic run of late-season swings, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri arrive in Abu Dhabi separated by the smallest margin of any three-way title fight in modern F1 history. Verstappen’s comeback charge, including his dominant win in the previous round, has closed the gap to Norris, while Piastri’s relentless consistency has kept him within mathematical reach of the crown. Saturday’s qualifying added even more tension, with Verstappen taking pole, Norris locking in P2 and Piastri just behind in P3 — setting up a straight fight over 58 laps where every corner, pit stop and tyre call could decide the world championship. Today’s race isn’t just the end of the season — it’s the moment that will define careers.
Before fans check their local TV listings or streaming apps, the big search this morning is simple: What time is the final F1 race today? Here’s the exact Abu Dhabi Grand Prix start time on Sunday, 7 December 2025, plus a global time-zone guide and the full starting grid for this historic title decider.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025: Final race time today
The final race of the 2025 Formula 1 season — the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina — starts at:
- 17:00 local time (GST) – Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
- 13:00 GMT – United Kingdom
- 18:30 IST – India
- 14:00 CET – Central Europe
- 08:00 ET – USA East Coast
- 07:00 CT – USA Central
- 05:00 PT – USA West Coast
- 00:00 AEDT (Mon, 8 Dec) – Sydney, Melbourne
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled for 58 laps, with the title expected to be settled within around two hours of lights out — barring major incidents, red flags or extended safety-car periods.
Abu Dhabi race time by region: when lights go out
If you are searching “What time is the final F1 race today?” from different parts of the world, this quick reference shows key local start times for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:
| Region | Key Cities | Race Start Time – 7 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| UK & Ireland | London, Manchester, Dublin | 13:00 GMT |
| Europe | Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome | 14:00 CET |
| India | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru | 18:30 IST |
| USA – East Coast | New York, Miami, Atlanta | 08:00 ET |
| USA – Central | Chicago, Dallas, Houston | 07:00 CT |
| USA – West Coast | Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle | 05:00 PT |
| Canada | Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver* | 08:00 ET / 05:00 PT |
| Australia | Sydney, Melbourne | 00:00 AEDT (Mon, 8 Dec) |
*Check local listings for exact broadcast details in your province or territory.
Final starting grid – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
Qualifying delivered exactly the kind of storyline a title decider deserves. Max Verstappen produced a stunning lap to grab pole position, but both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri stayed within a few tenths, ensuring that the top three in the championship will also start in the top three places on the grid.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Qualifying Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:22.207 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:22.408 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:22.437 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:22.645 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:22.730 |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:22.902 |
| 7 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1:22.904 |
| 8 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:22.913 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 1:23.072 |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | DNF |
| 11 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:23.041 |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Williams | 1:23.042 |
Verstappen’s pole lap of 1:22.207 gives him a crucial track-position advantage, but Norris and Piastri remain within a couple of tenths — close enough to attack into Turn 1 or through the two long back straights, especially if they can stay in DRS range over the opening laps.
Title permutations: who can still be world champion?
Coming into Abu Dhabi, the standings remain incredibly tight. Lando Norris is the championship leader and still has his fate in his own hands; if he finishes on the podium and ahead of both main rivals, the title is his. Max Verstappen realistically needs to win the race and hope Norris finishes far enough behind for the points swing to go his way, while Oscar Piastri requires victory plus a difficult afternoon for both Norris and Verstappen to complete a late, shock grab for the crown.
In simple terms, every overtake between the top three today could be worth a world championship. With strategy, tyre degradation and safety-car timing all historically influential at Yas Marina, this final race has all the ingredients for a classic.
Where to watch the final F1 race of 2025
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be broadcast by the usual Formula 1 rights holders in each country, including major sports networks and the official F1 streaming platforms. Fans can also follow live timing, sector splits and lap-by-lap commentary via the official Formula 1 website and app.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information in your region, always check your local schedules or the official Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix event page .
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