F1 Abu Dhabi GP live commentary and updates - Race

Lap 57/58

But let's give it to Lando, because this'll be his moment and rightly so. There is debate over whether he's been the best driver this year, but the way he's fought back since that Zandvoort retirement is impressive. A 34-point deficit being turned into a maiden world title. 

Lap 56/58

As it stands, Verstappen will finish the year with the most poles and race wins [both eight]. But obviously that's not the record he'll want, with the title going the way of Norris right now. 

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Andrej Isakovic / AFP via Getty Images

Lap 54/58

Not much has really happened across the recent laps. Leclerc is falling behind Norris, who is gradually closing in on Piastri. It'll take something miraculous for Norris to not become champion.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images

Lap 48/58

So, scores on the door. Verstappen leads, 20s over Piastri, there was debate about whether he will come into pit again but it's hard to see a reason for him doing that unless there's a safety car.

Norris is 4.5s behind Piastri while Leclerc, who has the fastest lap, is 4.1s off the championship leader. Verstappen needs the Ferrari driver to overtake, otherwise the wait goes on for a fifth world title. 

Bring back the good, old days of an Interlagos finale, ay? 

Lap 42/58

But speaking of stops, Piastri pits and holds onto second. 

Lap 41/58

McLaren has rightly come under a lot of scrutiny this year for many of its mistakes. But today, it's not put a foot wrong. It's fair to say that Norris will not lose this title through a slow stop...

Lap 41/58

Absolute routine. A 2.4s stop for Norris and he comes out easily in third just as Verstappen overtakes Piastri for first. 

Lap 41/58

And so it does as Norris comes in, while Verstappen is just 0.6s behind Piastri for the lead.

Lap 40/58

Maybe there's a late twist though as Ferrari pit Leclerc for a second time. Interesting to see if McLaren reacts with Norris. 

The United Kingdom is set for its 11th world champion as things stand. Norris will join a list that comprises of Hamilton (7), Stewart (3), Clark (2), Graham Hill (2), Button (1), Hawthorn (1), Hunt (1), Damon Hill (1), Mansell (1) and Surtees (1).

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lap 38/58

It's hard to see how Norris loses this one. He's 5s behind Verstappen, but more crucially 6s ahead of Leclerc. 

Lap 35/58

It's a game of chess now with no on-track battles currently happening. But McLaren is preparing to pit Piastri from the lead.

Rather mental that Tsunoda is surprised by the penalty. Come on Yuki, you knew what you were doing...

NFA on Norris' overtake, meanwhile. It's all setting up for the McLaren driver to become champion.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Andrej Isakovic / AFP via Getty Images

Lap 27/58

Who's idea was it to give Abu Dhabi the finale? Because let's be real, this race hasn't been a classic - but has that been the case for any grand prix at Yas Marina?

Just adding on the noting of the overtake, because Tsunoda is also under question for the way he swerved quite drastically to defend - rather unsuccessfully - position. 

Lap 24/58

The overtake has been noted as there is debate whether or not it was completed with all four of Lando's tyres over the white line. He should be fine though and it's not like Tsunoda is still right behind, as Leclerc is now fourth.

Lap 24/58

Verstappen pits for hards, so Piastri is now the leader.

Lap 23/58

Turns out Tsunoda didn't really know, as Norris moves past with the first opportunity. 

Lap 22/58

"All you can when he catches," is the message to Tsunoda with Norris closing in. Will he bring out his inner Perez from 2021? 

Lap 19/58

Yep, he's done it. A nice double overtake on Stroll and Lawson means Norris is now fifth. Tsunoda up next...

Lap 19/58

That move was easier as Norris moves past Sainz. To be fair to him, he's overcoming this DRS train quite quickly.

Lap 18/58

Nice move that as Norris overtakes Antonelli down the inside of Turn 3. Now three more cars to overtake in this train.

Lap 17/58

What that pitstop has allowed though is Tsunoda to get track position on Norris. The Red Bull is fourth, Norris is ninth. Keep an eye out for that potential battle, though Norris needs to overcome this DRS train first. 

Lap 17/58

Big moment this as Norris and Leclerc both pit. Routine stops for the pair as well.

Lap 16/58

Ferrari doesn't immediately react by pitting Leclerc, so let's see how that one plays out...

Lap 15/58

Few pitstops are now happening, including Russell who is attempting to take fourth from Leclerc with the undercut. Verstappen could probably do with it being a successful one too, as Russell is arguably the bigger threat to the McLarens.

As it stands, this man is your 2025 world champion 

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

A picture of the start for your own entertainment.

Start action

Photo by: Giuseppe Cacace - AFP - Getty Images

Lap 12/58

It's worth keeping an eye out for Verstappen's team-mate Tsunoda. In his last race for Red Bull, he is currently 10th but more crucially, on those hard tyres. He'll clearly go as long as he can in the hope that he gets track position over McLaren at some point.

Lap 10/58

Looks like Norris has dealt with the Leclerc threat for now as a second separates the pair. It's all currently a bit static. 

Lap 9/58

Well that was quick. Hamilton only lasted nine laps on that soft rubber as in he comes for hards. Likewise for Albon.

Lap 8/58

Norris being told to use more of his tyres to keep Leclerc at bay. It's not the opening laps McLaren would have hoped for, quite frankly!