Everything you need to know ahead of the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Formula One will make its final journey of the 2021 season to Abu Dhabi for the closing race of the season – where the winner takes all.

Championship title fighters, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are equal on points and anger as they head to the Yas Marina Circuit.

Following a manic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, spectators can feel the desperation of both outfits to clinch the 2021 title, which once and for all will be decided in a matter of days.

This will be the first time a battle for the Formula 1 World Championship goes down to the wire since 2016.

Many harsh words have been exchanged in the run up to Sunday’s race, with more likely to come, but all that matters is what happens on track this weekend.

So here’s everything you need to know before the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Circuit

Sunday’s last battle of the year will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit over 55 laps of the 5.281km track on Yas Island on Sunday, December 12.

This circuit made its formula one debut in 2009 for that year’s season finale, with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel clinching the win from the 2009 champion Jenson Button – however, Vettel went on to secure his first title in Abu Dhabi a year later.

The track was designed by Hermann Tilke and consists of a 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6 favoured by drivers for the all-important overtakes this weekend.

A number of track modifications have been made ahead of the 2021 race, shortening the lap slightly to 5.28km, and is likely to add tension and excitement for everyone involved.

The circuit will feature 21 corners with the potential for two DRS detection zones according to F1 officials.

Weather

As expected, there is a zero per cent chance of rain across the weekend, with temperatures reaching highs of 28 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Across Saturday and Sunday, it’ll remain between 25 and 27 degrees, with just patchy clouds expected on Sunday.

On race day, wind speed will be 11 km/h with a maximum of 32 km/h.

Race

The season finale race at the Yas Marina Circuit will take place on December 12, with lights out at 13:00 Irish time.

Teams have already begun arriving on location, with Free Practice taking place as usual on Friday at 09:30, followed just hours later by FP2 at 13:00

Then on Saturday, FP3 will kick off at 10:00 followed by an all-important final Qualifying session of 2021 at 13:00.

As a reminder, here are the updated championship standings, with the top two equal on points as this weekend is sure to bring heart racing drama to finish out an epic season of racing:

Championship Standings