After 23 races, Formula 1 has reached the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

It’s down to the last minute in the constructors’ championship and the outcome of Sunday’s Grand Prix will crown either McLaren or Ferrari as winners, taking home an estimated $140 million (£106 million) in prize money.

This weekend will be an emotional finale for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes before he moves to Ferrari in 2025. Likewise, Carlos Sainz will celebrate his last race with Ferrari before moving to Williams in 2025. Esteban Ocon unknowingly took part in his final race for Alpine in Qatar, as he will be replaced by rookie Jack Doohan this weekend.

Finally, a handful of drivers are leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season, including Kevin Magnussen at Haas, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at Sauber, while sources have told ESPN that Sergio Pérez will leave Red Bull at the end of the season.

Hot and settled weather is forecast for Yas Marina with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C.

Who will win the constructors’ championship?

As the current championship leader with a 21-point lead, McLaren has the best chance of winning the title. On Sunday there is a maximum of 44 points (first, second and fastest lap). There are various finishing combinations for Ferrari to win the title if McLaren fails to score or win.

Ranking | Calendar | teams

Latest news

According to ESPN sources, Pérez will leave Red Bull at the end of the 2024 season.

According to the FIA ​​president, Formula 1 could expand to 12 teams after General Motors’ Cadillac brand is added to the grid from 2026.

Alpines Ocon was replaced by Doohan for Abu Dhabi. Ocon emphasized: “I don’t want things to end like this.”

According to team boss Fred Vasseur, Hamilton’s problems at Mercedes do not worry his future employer Ferrari.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem urged drivers to mind their own business after questions about where money from racing penalties was going and why senior figures had quit the governing body.

Route statistics and history

In 2006, Yas Island, next to the city of Abu Dhabi, was developed from a blank canvas with the aim of having a race track firmly on the roadmap. Three years later, the Yas Marina Circuit was added to the F1 calendar at a reported cost of $1.32 billion and has hosted Grands Prix every year since.

The circuit has hosted more season finales than any other circuit in Formula 1 history, with exciting championship showdowns in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2021. The final race is scheduled to take place by 2030.

Round: 58 laps of 5.2 km each. Total distance 306 km.

Lap record: 1:26.103, Verstappen (2021)

Most wins: Hamilton with five (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018-2019). From the current starting lineup, Valtteri Bottas (2017) and Verstappen (2020-2023) won here.

Most sticks: Hamilton with five (2009, 2012, 2016, 2018-2019). From the current starting grid, Bottas (2017) and Verstappen (2020-2023) took pole here.

What happened last year?

Verstappen secured his 19th win of the year at the season finale, capping the most dominant season by any driver in the history of the sport. Charles Leclerc finished second, George Russell rounded out the podium as Mercedes pipped Ferrari by three points to secure second place in the constructors’ championship.

Who will win?

Strange things happen in the final race of a season when the title is on the line and it could be that McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull or Mercedes emerge victorious in Abu Dhabi.

Although Red Bull and Mercedes shared victories in the last three races, their performances were sporadic from session to session, whereas Ferrari and McLaren were more stable and had cars that should better suit the Yas Marina layout.

However, the pressure of the title fight could lead to mistakes for Ferrari and McLaren, meaning Verstappen is our pick to take advantage of the tension in the constructors’ championship and secure his tenth win of his championship season.

Here’s how to look at the GP

Watch on ESPN1 and ESPN+ (US only) – see schedule.

The live broadcast in the UK will be on Sky Sports F1 and BBC Radio 5 Live.

For news, analysis and updates, follow the coverage ESPN’s F1 Team Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson at Yas Marina and on social media.

Friday
Free Practice 1: 09:30-10:30 GMT
Free practice two: 1:00-2:00 p.m. GMT

Saturday
Free practice three: 10:30-11:30 GMT
Qualification: 14:00-15:00 GMT

Sunday
Race start: 13:00 GMT.