Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 – Weekend Guide for Indian F1 Fans
- Season finale of the 2025 F1 World Championship
- Final showdown in the title fight between Norris, Verstappen and Piastri
- Classic Yas Marina night race at the upgraded layout
- Strategy usually hinges on safety cars and the undercut
- Friendly Sunday afternoon start time for fans in India
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina is the final round of the season and the race that will decide the World Drivers’ Champion. Lando Norris arrives with a small points lead over Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, but with 25 points still on the table, all three are in realistic contention for the title.
Below is the full Abu Dhabi GP 2025 schedule in IST, plus what to watch out for as F1 closes the season under the lights in the UAE.
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Abu Dhabi GP 2025 Schedule in IST
Friday, 5 Dec 2025
• Free Practice 1 – 11:00–12:00 IST
• Free Practice 2 – 14:30–15:30 ISTSaturday, 6 Dec 2025
• Free Practice 3 – 12:00–13:00 IST
• Qualifying – 15:30–16:30 ISTSunday, 7 Dec 2025
• Grand Prix – Race start: 14:30 IST
🔎 Note: Times below are converted from the official Yas Marina schedule (local time, UTC+4) to India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30) using the 2025 F1 calendar and race guide. Always double-check close to the weekend in case F1 updates the session timings.
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What’s at Stake in Abu Dhabi?
Championship picture
Lando Norris leads the championship heading into Abu Dhabi, with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri still close enough that a win for any of them could swing the title. Norris needs a strong points finish – likely a podium – to seal his first world championship, while Verstappen is chasing yet another title and Piastri is the outsider with nothing to lose.
For Indian fans, this is the decider: by the chequered flag at Yas Marina, the 2025 champion will be confirmed.
Constructors’ situation
McLaren have been the benchmark for most of the season, but there are still big money positions up for grabs behind them in the constructors’ standings. Expect aggressive strategies in the midfield as teams fight for every point before the winter shutdown.
Tyres, Strategy & Pit Stops at Yas Marina
Yas Marina is usually a one or two-stop race, with strategy shaped by:
- The long back straight and heavy braking zones (good for overtaking with DRS).
- How well teams manage degradation on the reprofiled final sector?
- The risk of a late safety car, which has affected this race more than once in the past.
In simple terms:
- The undercut (pitting earlier for fresh tyres) can be powerful here.
- Track position still matters a lot in the final sector, so teams will balance raw pace against staying ahead on the road.
- With a title on the line, expect conservative calls from whoever is leading the championship and more aggressive gambles from the chasers.
What to Watch For on Track
- Start and Turn 1
Long run to Turn 1 with plenty of room but high pressure. A poor launch from any of the title contenders can set the tone for the whole race. - Back straight battles
The long straight and DRS zone into the chicane are the prime overtaking spots. Watch for teams offsetting tyre age to attack here in the second half of the race. - Safety car timing
A safety car around the normal pit window can flip the order – especially if one title contender gets a “cheap stop” while another doesn’t. - Night-race focus
As the sun sets and the floodlights take over, track temperature drops. Drivers who can quickly adapt to changing grip will have a big edge in the crucial final stint.
🇮🇳 Why Abu Dhabi GP Matters for Indian Fans
For Indian F1 fans, Abu Dhabi is almost perfect:
- Race start at 14:30 IST – easy to watch live on a Sunday without destroying your sleep schedule.
- The season finale and likely title decider, with Norris, Verstappen and Piastri all still in the hunt.
- A chance to see how the current pecking order closes the year before the 2026 regulation changes reshape the grid.