A Championship Decider Will Mark the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

The 2024 F1 season concludes with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will take place from 6 to 8 December at the Yas Marina Circuit.

2024 F1 Season Finale: A Championship Battle and Farewells

It is hard to believe it is time to bid farewell to the 2024 F1 season as we head to Abu Dhabi this weekend. It has been an unmissable season with over 20 breaking news headlines, the end of Red Bull’s domination, and battles for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.

Max Verstappen secured the Drivers’ Championship for Red Bull in Las Vegas.

Ferrari and McLaren now prepare for a dramatic showdown at the Yas Marina circuit. The Maranello-based team aim to overturn a 21-point deficit to claim the season’s top prize.

For the final time in a remarkable season…

WE GO RACING 💨#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/J27DagG1RI

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 4, 2024

The Yas Marina Circuit: Skill and Strategy

To encourage overtaking, the Yas Marina Circuit offers a challenging 3.28-mile layout with 16 corners and two DRS zones.

Drivers must complete 58 laps, covering 190.14 miles. With this, strategy and precision have important roles to play in the drivers’ placing on the grid.

High temperatures, forecasted to reach the mid-30s°C, will also make tyre management and cooling systems vital to success. On a weekend where everything is to play for, the 10 teams must get their set-ups correct.

READ MORE: F2 Championship Set for Thrilling Finale in Abu Dhabi

McLaren and Ferrari Go Head-to-Head

McLaren lead Ferrari by 21 points, but with a maximum of 44 points available from the Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari remain firmly in contention.

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will need strong performances to fend off Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who have shown strong form in recent races.

Sainz will also depart Ferrari for Williams after Abu Dhabi. What better way to say a final farewell to the team he has won three Grands Prix with, than helping them secure the Constructors’ title? He would go down in Ferrari history.

However, for Ferrari to take the Championship, they may need a one-two finish, as seen at the Circuit of the Americas earlier this year. McLaren, in response, would have to secure a podium and finish in the points with both cars while claiming the fastest lap bonus.

The stakes could not be higher.

Midfield Battles: Alpine, Haas, and VCARB Fight for P6

Further down the grid, the battle for sixth in the Constructors’ standings adds another layer of excitement to the weekend. Alpine lead Haas by five points, with VCARB trailing by eight.

Pierre Gasly‘s performance, alongside his teamwork with Esteban Ocon in Brazil, furthered Alpine’s chances for the P6 spot, but Haas remains in the hunt.

A double-point finish from Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen could potentially tip the fight in their favour.

Much like Sainz and Ferrari, this could be a bittersweet way for both drivers to say goodbye to Haas this weekend. Magnussen does not have a 2025 seat set in stone, while Hülkenberg will debut for Sauber after an impressive 2024 season.

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Jack Doohan Debut

In one final twist, Jack Doohan will debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Alpine. He replaces Esteban Ocon who raced for the French team for the final time in Qatar.

While this is a chance for the rookie to gain on-track experience before the 2025 season begins, it could be a way for the team to weigh up his skill against Franco Colapinto.

Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams in August and is currently without a confirmed 2025 seat. While he originally showed promise, Colapinto has suffered due to weather conditions, collisions he was not at fault for, and a Williams that cannot produce the results anybody aims for.

Alpine supposedly have their eye on the Argentine, and this race could be what determines his future with them.

It’s Time to Say Goodbye

The weekend also marks the end of several eras. Most notably, Lewis Hamilton completes his tenure with Mercedes. Their 26-year relationship will come to an emotional close.

Despite a challenging season, Hamilton and co will aim to deliver one last memorable performance under the Silver Arrows.

Record-breaking. Historic. Iconic. Ready to write the final chapter together

Thank you, Lewis pic.twitter.com/eVTlYpAe5y

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 3, 2024

Elsewhere, Sainz will depart from Ferrari to make way for Hamilton. Magnussen and Hülkenberg each leave Haas. The former will depart F1 for BMW’s factory sportscar roster for 2025, while the latter will turn to Sauber.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will therefore part ways with Sauber, with neither having a confirmed 2025 seat. With Mick Schumacher leaving as Mercedes’ reserve driver, Bottas could return to his former team to remain on the grid.

📸 A special helmet with full of loved moments.

It’s been a pleasure @ValtteriBottas, loved every highs & lows that we been through over the last 3 years, one last dance with @stakef1team_ks, let’s enjoy it.

Thanks to @BellRacingHQ / @KVDesign_helmet 🎨#AbuDhabiGP #TeamZHOU pic.twitter.com/F3mBIZG1RW

— 周冠宇 | Zhou Guanyu 🇨🇳 (@ZhouGuanyu24) December 4, 2024

While nothing is confirmed, Sergio Pérez’s performance this season could see the Mexican driver depart from Red Bull. This could make way for a Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson debut for the Austrian team in 2025.

2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Schedule

As the thrilling 2024 season closes, all eyes turn to Yas Island. Will McLaren secure glory for the first time since 1998, or will Ferrari complete a comeback to take their next Constructors’ title after their 2008 win?

Could Hamilton bow out with a final flourish? Will Haas bid farewell to their drivers with a P6 placing? The answers await under the lights of Abu Dhabi.

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