Our ultimate guide to the final race of the season, and how to get tickets.
For F1 enthusiasts, the most thrilling time of the year is just around the corner! Speed, strategy, and precision will come together at Yas Marina Circuit for the final race of the season. Aside from the main race event, The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024, a fully packed schedule of excitement and entertainment awaits fans from 6 to 8 December. We have all the essential details about this year’s F1 weekend, including the schedules, key events, exciting fan activations, after-race concerts, F&B pop-ups, and much more.
The weekend schedule:
As the final event of the season, The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 is the highlight of the championship, marking the end of the F1 calendar and crowning the much-anticipated winner. This year’s F1 weekend is set for 6 to 8 December, at Yas Marina Circuit. On Friday 6 December, the excitement kicks off as F1 weekend begins with the first practice session from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, followed by the second from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On the following day, Saturday 7 December, the third and final practice session will take place from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
The qualifying race of the weekend will also be held on 7 December at 6:00 pm, hours after the final practice. Qualifying sessions are the second most important event in an F1 weekend, as the results determine the starting positions of each driver. The better the driver’s starting position is, the higher the chances of them finishing in a strong position, and ultimately securing the pole position. In addition, teams usually use the qualifying race to interpret their performance and develop their strategies for the main race, including tyre choices and pit stops.
On 8 December, the final race will start at 5:00 pm. The 20 drivers complete a total distance of 305.354 km over 58 laps, where each lap equals 5.554 km.
On track action:
The Formula 1 champion and winning constructer team for 2024 will already be set by the final race as the points are collected over the total 24 races of the season, which marks a record-breaking number this year. However, that doesn’t make the Abu Dhabi 2024 GP any less exciting.
For this season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is expected to take it home once again, making it the driver’s fourth F1 title. Lando Norris, who drives for McLaren Mercedes, is second behind Verstappen with a 52-point difference so far. On the third podium, an exciting battle is unfolding between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with Charles maintaining a lead of 28 points as of now.
As for the constructer team of the season, the main battle will be between Red Bull and McLaren. If McLaren ends up snatching this year’s title, it’ll be the team’s first constructer’s championship win since 1998. It’s also Lewis Hamilton’s final race as a Mercedes driver. It was announced earlier this year that he would join Ferrari in 2025. Talk about some real excitement!
After-race concerts:
Headlining the Etihad Park’s stage in Abu Dhabi on 5 December is none other than the American singer and songwriter Teddy Swims and Korean DJ Peggy Gou.
Maroon 5, is next in line to perform and kick off the Yasalam After-Race Concerts for Formula 1 on Friday, 6 December. Frontman Adam Levine and the boys will have you moving like Jagger, pun-intended, with their most famous hits like She Will Be Loved and Sugar.
Over on Yas Gateway Park, there is a debut for Abu Dhabi, Afterlife Festival on 6 December. This will showcase iconic visuals and an exciting line up with music from Tale of Us, Layla Benitez, Rebūke, and Cassian.
15-time Grammy winner and one-of-a-kind rap legend, Eminem, will headline the spectacular after-race concert on Saturday, 7 December. You’ll be losing yourself, as the legend himself says, to his record-breaking hits like Without Me, The Real Slim Shady, Venom and Sing for the Moment.
We’re not done yet, there’s still more! On Sunday, 8 December, English rockers, Muse, will wrap up the party and take the stage on the final day of Yasalam After-Race Concerts.
Concert access is provided in all the ticket packages, but can’t be bought separately. However, you have the option to upgrade your concert tickets to Golden Circle if you’re aiming to be at the front of the stage. The Golden Circle upgrades start from AED 195.
Where to eat and drink:
Like every year, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises an exceptional culinary experience with diverse food options from all around the world. Expect to find pop-ups from exceptional dining restaurants like Nobu, Il Teatro, Zaatar w Zeit and Al Fanar. You can also savour the Peruvian culinary masterpieces from COYA while also overlooking the Marina and South Circuit with prime views of turns 8, 11, and 12 if you secure those tickets with the premium dining experience. With live DJs, speciality-crafted premium beverages, and huge LED screens across the Palm Garden, COYA is set to provide an unbeatable watching experience for all F1 fans. Overall, with the variety of options ranging from casual bites to fine dining, the F&B experience at the Abu Dhabi GP 2024 will be as thrilling as the race itself!
Tickets and info:
Multiple ticket options and prices are available for F1 Abu Dhabi GP 2024, which all come with access to Abu Dhabi’s best entertainment places. With each ticket you purchase, you will get to explore one of Yas Island’s theme parks: Warner Brothers Abu Dhabi, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, along with access to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, encouraging all the ticket holders to enjoy more of Abu Dhabi’s magic during their stay.
The general admission tickets offering open-air seating, great track views, and access to the after-race concerts and fan zone start from AED 750 for one-day access, and AED 999 for all three-day access. Next on the options are the Grandstand tickets which you can buy depending on which side of the tracks you want prime views of: North, South, West, or Marina Grandstand. These tickets’ prices start from AED 1,650 for all three-day access, providing you with the same package as the general ones plus special access to pit lane walk on Thursday, 6 October and access to the Oasis area where multiple F&B options are available.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to a VIP package, then check out the hospitality experiences. A variety of package options will include access to one of the enclosed suites, five-star dining, exclusive prime views of the track, and unlimited beverages for a wide range of options for all three days. Of course, you will also get access to all the after-race concerts and events. There are no limitations with these tickets, so you’re in to enjoy all that the F1 weekend has to offer.
See you at the Circuit:
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 promises to be an unforgettable finale to the Formula 1 season, blending high-octane racing with exceptional entertainment and culinary experiences all through the weekend.
Secure your tickets now before they sell out. For more information, visit Yas Marina Circuit’s or Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024’s official website.
DSCVR: Everything You Need to Know about Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024. @abudhabigp @f1
