23 races down, one to go. The 2024 calendar has been the longest in history. Fortunately for us fans, though, it hasn't felt like it.
It looked otherwise be a repeat of the 2023 season in Bahrain as Red Bull won with a huge margin over the field - causing some to say that it wouldn't be worth watching. Boy they were wrong.
The finale has been held here at the Las Marina Circuit since 2009 and has had some exhilarating moments, like 2012's all-time race and 2021's controversial title showdown.
It's currently Lewis Hamilton with the most race wins at the track (5), though Red Bull take the most constructor wins with 7. The track was updated in 2021 and is now faster and simpler for the drivers with the removal of two chicanes.
Red Bull, as we expected them to, triumphed here last year with Max Verstappen. He's taken the driver's championship this year already, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to watch out for.
Talking Points
Heated Constructors' battle (and Norris vs Leclerc)
With only 21 points separating Ferrari and McLaren, the hunt for Constructors' championship glory is on this weekend. The Red Bull seemed fast at the start of the year, but with development heading in Mclaren and Ferrari's direction (and lacklustre performances from Sergio Perez), they've been eliminated from contention.
While it would take a really bad day for Mclaren to make them slip out of first place in the championship, we can't rule it out.
Ferrari will be doing everything they can to stop Mclaren from winning, as if the orange cars take the top spot on the podium, they're automatically champions.
Both will also be watching out for Mercedes, who have found their stride in a late season charge. They could easily take points away form both of them, although they cannot go up and positions in the standings.
It's not the only battle between these teams, though, as only 8 points separate Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc in the drivers' championships.
Many thought that Norris could take the WDC easily form Max, yet Charles has been quietly gaining traction and could overtake his British rival this weekend.
Ferrari have said that they're feeling most confident at Abu Dhabi out of all the final triple-header tracks.
Doohan's debut Alpine race
It'll be Australian driver Jack Doohan's first race for Alpine this weekend, after he was confirmed as the team's driver next year.
He replaces Esteban Ocon, who will not participate int he final race ion the season. It must be difficult for him, as he has spent 5 seasons with the team and grabbed them their first win a few years ago.
He also designed a helmet for this finale but will not be able to run it.
Allegedly, when he said he wanted to participate in the postseason test for Haas, Flavio Briatore (Alpine Special Advisor), gave him an ultimatum: stay with the team for this race or participate in the test as a Haas driver. He chose the latter.
In an emotional letter, he also mentioned he could not go see the team back in France.
Hamilton's last race for Mercedes
84 wins. 240 starts. These are stats people dream of for their whole careers, but Lewis Hamilton has achieved this since 2013 win only one constructor: Mercedes.
After a shock move from McLaren 11 years ago, the British driver moved to recently-formed Mercedes replacing another champion, Michael Schumacher. Those are some shoes to fill.
We've known this whole year that he was moving to Ferrari in 2025, as the media were made aware before the first race in Australia. It's one of the biggest driver moves in history and caused Ferrari's stock to skyrocket on announcement day.
He said that he 'didn't realise how difficult it would be' to leave the Silver Arrows, where he'll be replaced by Italy's young star Kimi Antonelli.
There's a few other things I haven't mentioned, like the possibility of it being Sergio Perez's final race for Red Bull, Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou's final races and the driver situation at VCARB. Too many to count for one race.
Oh, and Arthur Leclerc and Charles Leclerc will be the first brothers to share a session int he same team.
Podium Prediction
This is tricky. Please don't kill me.
3rd - George Russell
Now, can you imagine...
2nd - Max Verstappen
...these two on the podium together? How awkward would that be after a week of spats between each other after their qualifying incident in Qatar?!
1st - Carlos Sainz
You have to feel for the Spanish driver, who has raced his heart out and won for the team this year, all knowing that there's no way of staying with them next year. Fingers crossed he can deliver a strong finish.
Driver to watch
Let's all cheer on Valtteri Bottas this weekend, who deserves points in the Sauber after the career he's had. His teammate scored last week (on merit!) and now it's Bottas' turn.
Let's see if the Finn can fly.
Can I give you a session to watch too? I can. Watch F2 this week as the top drivers, Isaac Hadjar and Gabriel Bortoleto, are separated by only half a point with two races to go. Now that's close!
Race details
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will start at 5pm local time, which is 1pm in the UK.
Check local broadcasters for coverage.
