December date for Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix confirmed

Season will again end at the Yas Marina track as final races are announced

Lewis Hamilton, centre, celebrates on the podium after winning the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. AP Photo

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning the race. Reuters

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after winning. AP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the race. Reuters

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc steers his car round the corner after the main straight. AP

Max Verstappen as the lights in the stands shine bright. Getty Images

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line. AP Photo

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton leads at the start of the race. Reuters

Cars and mechanics are pictured on the grid ahead of the final race of the season. AFP

An aeronautical display is seen over the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Getty Images

2019 F1 drivers group photo before the race. Victor Besa / The National

Hamilton is pictured on the grid. AFP

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, on the grid. Getty Images

Hamilton gives the thumbs up ahead of the final race. AFP

Red Bull Racing's Max Verstappen, left, and Renault's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo chat during the drivers parade. AFP

Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas on his way to the pits. Victor Besa / The National

Sportpesa's Lance Stroll arrives at the track. Victor Besa / The National

Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari arrives at the track. Victor Besa / The National

Antonio Giovinazzi of Alfa Romeo arrives at the track. Victor Besa / The National

A race engineer is tuning a Ferrari car. Victor Besa / The National

The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been confirmed for December 13 and will again bring the curtain down on the 2020 Formula One season.

In a campaign truncated because of the pandemic, the race will take place without spectators and Yas Island will be transformed into an ‘F1 biosphere’.

Four Grands Prix in three countries – Turkey, Bahrain and the UAE – will end the calendar on a total of 17 races, the lowest since 2009.

The Turkish Grand Prix on November 15 marks a return to the Istanbul Park track for the first time in nine years.

Bahrain will host two races, on November 29 and December 6, before the season concludes at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina track.

It will be the latest global sporting event to be held in the UAE using bio-secure bubble conditions, following the successful staging of UFC's Fight Island in July and after the upcoming Indian Premier League cricket tournament, which is due to start on September 19.

Chase Carey, chief executive of the Formula One Group, said: “We are delighted that we will be upholding our traditional end-of-season race with our valued and special partners at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

“While this season has been challenging for everyone, we can think of no better place to bring the 2020 season to an end and look forward to completing our 17-race calendar.”

Lewis Hamilton currently leads the drivers’ championship by 37 points and is looking to secure a seventh title, which would bring him level with German driver Michael Schumacher’s record total.