Is that? Can it really be? We don't believe it… No, we're not talking about an early sighting of Santa Claus, we're on about the end of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

It only feels like a few moments ago that we were unpacking the MCL36 for the first time at testing in Spain, but somehow it's been nine months and 22 rounds since then. The most recent of those races certainly wasn't our favourite, as we endured our first double DNF since Monaco in 2017, but what better way to move on than by getting back in the saddle and putting it in the rear-view mirror with another race weekend?

The final race of the season is always an emotional one, as we look back and reflect on another year in which we've learned, loved, laughed and cried. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also be Daniel's final race for the team, all but ensuring there won't be a dry eye in the house.

We've gotten some words from the man himself ahead of his final race, as well as from Lando Norris and Team Principal Andreas Seidl. We've also compiled a list of what to watch for, the key stats and we've got some deets on our Black Friday sales. Not to mention a particularly exciting competition.

Key info

What they say

“It’s the final race weekend of the year! We have some bouncing back to do from last weekend but I’m looking forward to getting back on track and fighting for one last time this season. The car is also looking really cool for this weekend in a special livery with our partner Vuse so I’m excited for you to see it out on track. Let's make the last race a positive one.”

“Here we go, one last time in papaya. I’m looking forward to getting out there and giving it everything for these last days of the season. I think there could be some fun battles and potential to overtake in these new cars so it will be great to put the MCL36 through one last dance. My focus is now on trying to finish this season on the highest possible high.”

“The team are excited for Abu Dhabi. It has been a long season with everyone working extremely hard, so we have one final big push to go. The team will also say goodbye to Daniel at the end of the weekend, but until Sunday evening we keep fighting together.

“It will be interesting to see how this year's car runs on the new layout that we debuted last year, as hopefully it will allow for good overtaking opportunities. Vuse have also taken over the livery for this race weekend as part of their Driven by Change initiative, which is a nice way to celebrate the end of the season.

“Whilst the gap to P4 in the Constructors Championship is bigger than hoped, this season has shown that anything is possible so we keep our heads down and continue to fight as hard as we can for these final few days. Let’s go team.”

What the stats say

After failing to score any points in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button stormed to a double-podium in 2010, with P2 and P3, respectively. They repeated the feat the following year, but went one better, with Button taking P3 and Hamilton clinching victory. We've twice taken pole at Yas Marina, in 2009 and 2012 – both poles were clinched by Lewis Hamilton, although both, unfortunately, ended with retirement.

It was during a tense Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2019 that we secured third in the Constructors' Championship, our highest finish since 2012.

With a 27 point-lead over Esteban Ocon, Lando has now mathematically secured seventh place in the Drivers' Championship. The British star's current 113-point tally is already his second-best in F1. In the Constructors' Standing, the race for fourth isn't over just yet, but with a 19-point deficit to make up over Alpine, it won't be an easy task.

Lando's never finished out of the points at Abu Dhabi, taking seventh last season, fifth in 2020 and eighth in 2019. Daniel has six top 10 finishes at Yas Marina and will be aiming to make it seven in his final race for McLaren.

Session times

What to watch out for

Or should it be who to watch out for? The answer being Pato O'Ward! The 23-year-old Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar driver will be making his competitive Formula 1 debut on Friday in free practice, taking over Lando's car. Pato's debut follows two recent private tests for the team in the MCL35M, and fulfils the second of our two mandatory young driver outings.

We'll also be debuting a swanky new-look at Yas Marina, teaming up with Official Partner BAT’s brand Vuse to create a special one-off livery as part of the Driven By Change programme. Designed by Anna Tangles, the initiative aims to provide a global platform for emerging, underrepresented artists. 

The one-off 'Tangles' livery will look iridescent around the Yas Marina Circuit. With the race taking place at sunset, and the track wrapping its way around the marina, it makes for a visually stunning event with the sunlight fading throughout the race and the floodlights taking its place. This causes the temperature to drop and alters the balance of the car, providing a unique challenge to engineers.

Even after the modifications to the layout for 2021, the 1.2km straight between Turns 5 and 6 remained the track's standout feature, with the majority of the action happening between the two corners.

McLaren Creators

Every week, our social channels and the MTC post room are chock-a-block with amazing art pieces that our fans have created and sent to us. Going through them always warms our hearts, and so we wanted to share the love.

Whether you're a skilled sketcher, a budding paper mache artist, or prefer to paint by numbers, our new McLaren Creators segment will highlight our favourite pieces from our inspired fanbase.

This week we're spotlighting

Mehmet Azad ÇALMAN from Turkey. 

INLINE-MEDIA BIG

"I'm a graphic designer from Turkey. I was inspired by the energy of the McLaren team and especially Daniel Ricciardo when designing this art. He's a great character and he knows how to have fun (even in the desert heat). I love the team. The colours and the energies are very heart-warming. I always like to use saturated colours, and McLaren's is one of those."

What to wear

All of the merch! Is there a special something on the McLaren Store that you've had your eye on? Or maybe you've spotted the perfect hoodie to gift a loved one? Either way, you'll want to keep watch of the store over the coming days as our Black Friday deals go live, with new promotions happening each day. 

Plus one

Our latest competition is a real blockbuster, a prize you'll never want to LEGO off.

We needed a big prize for the final race of the season, and what better giveaway than a LEGO® Technic™ McLaren Formula 1 Race Car signed by Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.

Enter now for a chance to win the MCL35M liveried model racing machine.

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