Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: when, where and how you can watch in the UAE

Season-ending race will be held behind closed doors with Lewis Hamilton having already won the championship

In a year of very few certainties, we can always trust one thing – the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix bringing the curtain down on yet another enthralling Formula One season.

As the F1 caravan concludes its 2020 journey in the UAE, Yas Island will transform into an ‘F1 biosphere’, creating one of the largest ‘safe zones’ in the region with access restricted to essential F1 staff, drivers and teams.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has already wrapped up the world championship and his team the constructor's title.

But there is a chance Hamilton might not be able to make the trip to the UAE after contracting coronavirus. Whether Hamilton makes it to the UAE will be among the talking points at the season finale.

Here is all you need to know abut the twilight race in UAE's capital.

When and where is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?

The 2020 Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

A map of Yas Marina Circuit. Courtesy Yas Marina Circuit

Race schedule for Abu Dhabi GP

Friday, December 11

1pm to 2:30pm: First practice

5pm to 6:30pm: Second practice

Saturday, December 12

2pm to 3pm: Final practice

5pm to 6pm: Qualifying

Sunday, December 13

5pm Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps)

Note: All times UAE (UTC +4)

Are tickets available?

Unfortunately, the coronavirus crisis has meant that the race will be staged behind closed doors with no paying spectators allowed.

What about F1 events?

No events have been planned, understandably, given the health restrictions in place.

Special attendees

Frontline workers will be allowed to attend the season-ending race after a limited number of passes were allocated at the Yas Marina Circuit to thank them for their efforts in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

A total of 600 passes have been made available, 200 for each day of Friday's practice sessions, Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race.

Saif Al Noaimi, acting chief executive of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, also revealed that the Abu Dhabi Hill at the capital's racetrack would be renamed "Frontline Heroes Hill" for the December 11-13 grand prix weekend.

What is the circuit like?

See for yourself. We got a detailed view of the circuit, before the pandemic (obviously), to experience the challenges that the drivers will face.