So here we are, the 2020 Formula 1 season is drawing to a close. 17 races, four triple-headers, new circuits, old circuits, (seemingly unbreakable) records broken. Unprecedented. Improbable. And, with a few welcome exceptions, all behind closed doors. There’s been no mistaking the presence of what’s been missing this season. Nevertheless, savour this weekend; remember that when we concluded the 2019 campaign under the sparkling lights of Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, none of us could have predicted what 2020 would bring. Life may still not be as we knew it, but it will get better and we will continue to race as one.

For the final time this season, check out our race preview to get up to speed ahead of this weekend’s action with the thoughts of Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and McLaren F1 Team Principal Andreas Seidl; learn more about the latest merch to drop on the McLaren Store so you can sign off on 2020 in style; and get all the details of our biggest-ever giveaway.

How to follow

What they say

“As we approach the final race of the 2020 season, we go into the Abu Dhabi weekend with our heads held high. We've fought hard to be where we are at this stage of the year and you can be sure we'll keep fighting until the end to get the best result possible. We had some good battles in Abu Dhabi last season and hopefully we’ll be able to do the same again this year.

“This will be my last race for McLaren after a fantastic two-year period. It’s going to be an emotional weekend, but first we need to go racing. I’ll be pushing hard for everyone in the team as we take on the final event of the season together.”

“After a tricky race on the outer circuit in Bahrain, we go to Abu Dhabi looking to end the season strongly. I think we can be really proud of what we’ve achieved as a team this season, especially considering how disrupted the year has been. We’ve come through our difficulties together, as a team, and had some pretty great moments too. I feel like I’ve made good progress personally and that’s something I’m looking to build on as we round out the season and head into 2021.

“The Yas Marina circuit is one of those tracks that requires you to be quite brave to make overtakes. The heavy braking zones are the best places to make a pass, so performing well in those areas will be crucial to a good race. We’ll give it one last push and try to finish the season on a high.

“Finally, it’s the last race with Carlos beside me as my team-mate. I’ve learned plenty from him over the last two years, and I’m sure he’s learned a bit from me too. We’ll be pushing hard together for the team right until the chequered flag, and I look forward to battling him on track again next year.”

“As we come to the end of a remarkable season, we’ll be giving it our all to finish the season on a high and go home with a good final points score for 2020. This year has really been a story of several different chapters that we as a team have worked through together. To be in the position we’re in at this stage of the year is a real achievement, and proof of the progress we’ve made as a team. If, at pre-season testing in Barcelona, you’d told us we would be where we are with one race to go, I think the whole team would be very proud and happy with that. With that said, we are still very much in the fight, and we’re still pushing as hard as we can for a good result at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“I’d really like to congratulate F1, the FIA, along with the teams, for putting this season together. To be the first international sport to resume during a global pandemic is no mean feat, especially in our sport, which is so dependent on travel and logistics. The measures taken to protect our sport and the communities we race in have worked incredibly well and have allowed us to go racing again while significantly minimising risk.

“Finally, I’d like to pay tribute to Carlos ahead of his final race for McLaren. Together with Lando, he’s made an incredible impact on our team over the last two years and has helped us move forward. It’s been a pleasure to work with him and all of us at McLaren wish him the best for 2021 and beyond. But before that, I look forward to taking on this final race with him in Abu Dhabi. As one team we’ll fight until the line, and we know he’ll give it everything too.

“For one last time in 2020, we go racing again, focused on ourselves as a team but ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come our way. I’m sure it will be an exciting finale!”

What the stats say

We’ve qualified on pole here twice: for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009 and the 2012 edition of the race. Sundays at Yas Marina Circuit have seen has score four podiums, most notably victory in 2011 with Lewis Hamilton. Carlos has finished in the top 10 here on the last two occasions. He memorably clinched P10 on the final lap last season with a daring overtake – it earnt him the one point he needed to secure sixth in the Drivers’ Championship. Like Carlos, Lando finished in the points last year and the year before that he stood on the podium after coming home second in the final race of the Formula 2 season. 

What to watch out for

Much like the Bahrain Grand Prix, there’s going to be a significant temperature drop between day and night, which can see the balance of the car change dramatically. That’s not the only thing that affects car performance and changes depending on the time of day: the wind direction tends to as well here. Good straight-line speed is very important at this circuit, as is excellent traction – particularly in the final sector.

Aside from the fierce midfield battle that looks set to go down to the wire this weekend, there’s no escaping the fact that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the end of Carlos’ two-year stint as a McLaren F1 driver. A formidable racer on track and the ultimate team player off it, he’s played a huge part in the progress we’ve made on our journey back to the front of the grid. Needless to say, this charming Spaniard will always hold a special place in our hearts. We share a bond that will never be broken – something Carlos talks about in an exclusive interview on McLaren.com – and we’ll do everything we can to end this chapter in style.

What to wear

For the past couple of weeks, Carlos and Lando have been rocking the Special Edition Bahrain McLaren Cap and it’s gone down a storm. But, as we conclude our Middle Eastern sojourn and the 2020 season, we just couldn’t resist adding one more cap to your collection. This weekend it’s all about the Abu Dhabi 2020 New Era McLaren Cap. With its oh-so cool stealth colourway, it’s the perfect accessory for racing under the lights.

It’s not the only thing that catches the eye on the McLaren Store right now. Our Christmas sale is well underway, which means there’s no better time to get hold of all that McLaren merch you want to find under your tree on Christmas Day. Whether it’s gifts for loved ones or a present for yourself, be sure to add a sprinkling of papaya to the festivities.

Plus one

Sticking with the festive theme, have you entered our Christmas competition yet? It’s our biggest-ever giveaway, but you need to enter soon because it closes at midnight on Saturday. To double your chances of winning, make sure you’ve completed your McLaren App profile which, having spoken to Santa Claus, will also guarantee you immunity from the ‘naughty list’ this year.

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