F1 Abu Dhabi GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

The 2025 Formula 1 world drivers’ championship will be decided at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is also the last of the current ground-effect era.

Lando Norris leads the championship and is 12 points above Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri hanging on in third and 16 off top. 

So Norris simply needs a podium finish to clinch his maiden title but as is the case at any championship decider, anything can happen - just think of 2010 when outsider Sebastian Vettel snatched it from Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber. 

Norris got the upper hand on Friday by topping both practice sessions from Verstappen, with Piastri sitting out FP1 due to rookie driver duties and then was only 11th in FP2.

It therefore promises to be an enthralling contest, starting with qualifying which has proven to be of huge importance this year given 15 of 23 grands prix have been won from pole.

Which way will it fall on Saturday? Who knows, but here is how to watch the action. 

When is qualifying for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP?

Qualifying for the final round of the 2025 F1 world championship, the Abu Dhabi GP, starts at 6pm local time and 2pm GMT on Saturday 6 December.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

How can I watch Formula 1?

Sky Sports is the exclusive holder of live F1 broadcast rights in the United Kingdom, which means the action can also be streamed through NOW or Sky Go.

Sky Sports F1 costs £20 per month, but it can also be bought as part of a deal which incorporates all Sky Sports channels at £22 monthly. A one-off day membership of £14.99 is also available via NOW, as well as a monthly deal from £28.

Although Sky is the live broadcast holder, highlights are still available via Channel 4 which broadcasts its package several hours after the action on a Saturday and Sunday.

How can I watch qualifying for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP?

Sky Sports F1 is broadcasting the Abu Dhabi GP in the United Kingdom. Qualifying is live on Sky Sports F1 with coverage starting at 1:15pm ahead of a 2pm session start.

• Channel: Sky Sports F1
• Start time: 1:15pm on Saturday 6 November

Autosport will also provide live text commentary of qualifying at the Abu Dhabi GP.

Where can I watch the F1 Abu Dhabi GP qualifying highlights?

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Channel 4 will broadcast a highlights package of qualifying from the Abu Dhabi GP, with its programme starting at 6:35pm on Saturday and lasting for 90 minutes.

Will qualifying for the F1 Abu Dhabi GP be on the radio?

Live radio coverage of the 2025 F1 season has come via BBC Radio 5 Live, the 5 Live Sports Extra Stations, the BBC Sounds app and the BBC Sport website.

For qualifying of the Abu Dhabi GP, radio coverage comes through 5 Live Sports Extra whose coverage starts at 1:55pm.

Weather forecast for qualifying of the F1 Abu Dhabi GP

Conditions are expected to be warm for qualifying at the Abu Dhabi GP, which is scheduled to run after sunset. Air temperature will be around 26C at Yas Marina with a gentle north-western breeze and a very minimal chance of rain.