Free training 1 and 2 of Grande Prêmio of Abu Dhabi, the last stage of the 2025 season of Fórmula 1, will take place this Friday at The initial session begins at 1:30 pm local time (6:30 am on Brasília), followed by the second session at 5 pm local time (10 am on Brasília). The transmissions are carried out by BandSports and the streaming service F1TV, allowing fans to follow the initial adjustments of the cars before the championship is defined.
The fight for the title involves Lando Norris, from McLaren, who leads with 408 points, followed by Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, with 396, and Oscar Piastri, teammate of Norris, with 392 points. Após Verstappen’s victory in the Catar GP, which reduced Norris’s advantage to 12 points, this Friday’s training sessions serve as a thermometer for the teams’ strategies. With 25 points available in Sunday’s race, any result in the tests could change the projections for the weekend.
The Circuito Yas Marina, with its 5.281 km and 21 curves, demands precision in mixed high-speed sectors and technical curves, especially under the nighttime conditions of the main race. Equipes like McLaren and Red Bull focus on starting simulations and tire management, considering the abrasive asphalt that accelerates wear. Previsões Weather forecasts indicate temperatures above 25°C during the day, with little chance of rain, favoring aerodynamic setups optimized for traction.
- Main contenders for the title: Lando Norris (McLaren, 408 pts), Max Verstappen (Red Bull, 396 pts),
- Points at stake in the race: 25 for the winner, plus 1 for the fastest point.
- Recent history: Verstappen won in Catar, overtaking Piastri in second place.
- Broadcast on Brasil: BandSports for training, Band for qualifying and racing.
Team strategies in initial testing
McLaren arrives at Abu Dhabi with a focus on correcting pit stop errors seen in Catar, where the decision not to change tires under the safety car cost Norris and Piastri positions. Engenheiros adjust the MCL40 for better balance in medium curves, aiming to maximize grip in free practice. Verstappen, in turn, tests configurations of the Red Bull RB21 to counterbalance the McLaren’s speed on straights, with full fuel simulations.
Red Bull prioritizes telemetry data to optimize DRS in overtaking zones, while Ferrari and Mercedes watch closely, although outside the title fight. This Friday’s training sessions, lasting one hour each, allow for quick iterations on front wings and suspension. Analistas expects Norris to aim for consistent times to build confidence before qualifying.
Circuit Yas Marina and its technical demands
Yas Marina has hosted decisive races in recent years, with fast lap records of around 1min 26s. The layout includes a 600m main straight ideal for overtaking and sectors with low-speed curves that test traction. Pilotos and Piastri highlight the importance of hybrid setups to balance speed and nighttime stability.
Environmental conditions, with humidity at 60% and light winds, influence the behavior of Pirelli tires, especially the medium and hard compounds. Equipes perform long runs in training to simulate wear and tear over 58 laps, the race distance. Histórico shows that pole positions here convert into victories in 70% of cases since 2021.
The layout favors cars with good energy management in the hybrid system, where McLaren has an advantage in efficiency. Verstappen plans fine-tuning based on data from 2024, when the circuit last won the previous season.
Title dispute after Catar
Verstappen turned an Piastri pole into a Catar victory by capitalizing on the safety car on lap 7, gaining 17 seconds on the stop. Norris, starting from second, dropped to fourth after McLaren’s strategy, adding just 12 points. Piastri crossed second, but saw his second place lost by four points.
The points table reflects a balanced championship, with Norris adding 10 wins, Verstappen 7 and Piastri 5. Agora, in Abu Dhabi, Norris needs at least one podium to seal the title, depending on rival results.
Mathematical scenarios indicate that a win of Verstappen with Norris in fourth ties the two, resolved by number of wins. Piastri requires one’s own triumph and abandonment of rivals to dream big.
Pilots preparation for the final
Norris, in his third full season, has accumulated 15 podiums and emphasizes consistency in interviews. Ele adjusts his helmet with custom graffiti for decision, a sign of mental focus. Verstappen, four-time champion, trains virtual simulations for safety car scenarios, aiming for his seventh victory of the year.
Piastri, a promising rookie, leads pole positions with six, converting four into victories. Sua approach includes intense fitness sessions to support the G-force demands of the circuit. Outros as Sainz, third in Catar by Williams, watch for extra points in the constructors.
Teams invest in software updates for real-time telemetry, with a focus on fault detection. The non-sprint weekend allows for more testing, extending FP3 to Saturday at 2:30 pm local time.
Decision history in Yas Marina
Abu Dhabi decided titles in 2010 and 2014, with Vettel and Rosberg champions in controversies and dramas. The circuit evolved with renovations in 2022, removing curves for more fluid flows. Média of safety cars per race is 1.5, impacting strategies as in Catar.
Statistics show that 80% of winners here start in the top 3, reinforcing the importance of qualification. McLaren won in 2023 with Piastri, marking a competitive return. Red Bull dominates constructors with 550 points, but McLaren is pushing with 520.
Complete weekend schedule
Activities continue with Treino Livre 3 on Saturday at 2:30 pm local time (7:30 am on Brasília), followed by classification at 6 pm (11 am on Brasília). The main race takes place Sunday at 5pm local time (10am Brasília), with 58 laps or 120 minutes.
Broadcasts include BandNews FM and Bandeirantes radios for real-time narration. Digital Plataformas such as Band.com.br and Bandplay offer free streaming for quali and races. F1TV Pro provides exclusive onboards for tactical analysis.
- TL1: 1:30pm local / 6:30am Brasília – BandSports, F1TV.
- TL2: 5pm local / 10am Brasília – BandSports, F1TV.
- TL3: 2:30 pm local / 7:30 am Brasília – Band, BandSports, F1TV.
- Classification: 6pm local / 11am Brasília – Band, BandSports, F1TV.
- Race: 5pm local / 10am Brasília – Band, F1TV.