Formula 1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Live leaderboard and lap-by-lap updates as Max Verstappen to lift world drivers’ championship after clashes with George Russell as Ferrari and McLaren battle for Constructors’ championship

Buckle up, folks. This is your five minute warning.

Will McLaren win the constructors’ title? Will Lewis Hamilton make a fairytale farewell at Mercedes? We will know very soon.

Valtteri Bottas does not reveal anything before his last race with Sauber.

This could very well be his last appearance in Formula 1 after his team opted to partner Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg next year.

But when asked by Martin Brundle if this was his last step to the top of motorsport, he replied: “I’m not done yet.”

For now, the mystery continues for the former Mercedes man…

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, speaking with Martin Brundle…

Fun – I don’t know if that’s the word. It would have been more fun up front.

Today is a very difficult task, but I will do everything I can to try to make the miracle happen.

That’s what we need today, a miracle.

It’s almost time to play the national anthem, the last one of the year.

Race control has already been put into action. Kevin Magnussen has been flagged for an infraction at the start of practice.

That one is being examined.

Christian Horner has just been questioned by Martin Brundle about what lies ahead for Sergio Pérez and was evasive, to say the least.

“Hopefully he ends the season on a high note, then we’ll sit back this week and reflect on the season,” Horner said.

Pérez has a contract for 2025, but all signs point to a brutal dismissal in the summer. Liam Lawson is the favorite to take his place.

A deflated Toto Wolff apologized to Lewis Hamilton for “disappointing” him after his shock exit from Q1 in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

“An idiotic mistake not to have gone sooner, unforgivable, unforgivable,” said Wolff.

“I’ve really been very depressed about what happened and maybe this sums up the last few races we’ve had with him, but this is the worst part because it was just idiotic.”

“Our most valuable racing driver of all time, the most valuable racing driver in this sport, goes out in Q1 because we made a mistake and that doesn’t ruin the whole legacy we have with him, but I can only ask for his forgiveness.”

Nico Rosberg, speaking on Sky Sports…

He is a genius. He is the greatest of all time. A natural talent like there has never been before in F1.

It was incredible to be a rival there for a few years and share the success of the Mercedes team together, and to see them go ahead and continue that success.

A very emotional day for everyone. An amazing story.

He was the ultimate benchmark, incredibly difficult to beat and I knew it since I was 13 years old.

Much better for me because I managed to beat him as my rival. But it’s lovely to see how excited he is.

The pit lane is now open and there are drivers on the track.

Many cameras were focused on the Mercedes garage when Lewis Hamilton drove out for the last time.

It would be an absolute miracle if he finished on the podium, but hey, stranger things have happened in this sport. Let’s see.

Lewis Hamilton before his last race at Mercedes…

It’s a beautiful day. It’s a very strange feeling. I really can’t put into words what I feel right now.

But I think ultimately it’s a lot of gratitude and I hope that today I can do something from where I am.

I consider it positive to have qualified in 18th place, but in reality I am starting in 16th place, so there is a positive.

Ultimately, I’m trying to be really present, looking around trying to remember and take it all in.

At least SIX drivers will say goodbye to their teams this afternoon.

Here’s who’s leaving or moving…

mercedes – Lewis Hamilton

Haas – Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen

Sauber- Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu

There are also strong indications that this could be Sergio Pérez’s last race at Red Bull after his torrid season.

Max Verstappen has 429 points in the drivers’ championship, so all eyes are on who will take second place.

Lando Norris is only eight points ahead of Charles Leclerc, but starts from pole. His rival will start 19th and requires really special driving.

Oscar Piastri is fourth with 291 points after a brilliant season and Carlos Sainz, who says goodbye to Ferrari today, is 19 points behind him.

We could see some big movement at that table tonight…

McLaren has a 21-point lead over Ferrari.

A victory for Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri would secure the constructors’ title for the Papaya, regardless of Ferrari’s results today.

Remember, Norris is on pole while Piastri lines up in P2.

They will also take home the trophy…

• If both McLarens finish in the top four
• If one of Norris or Piastri wins the race
• If they are not surpassed by Ferrari by 24 points or more

Meanwhile, Red Bull is set to finish in a disappointing third place.

This is how the entry is made.

Lewis Hamilton entered the paddock dressed in a bright red suit.

A nod to his future employers, perhaps?

Hello to each and every one. Thank you for joining us in the last race of this vibrant Formula 1 season. Let’s hope that today we say goodbye strong.

Of course, the drivers’ championship is already decided, but the constructors’ trophy is still up for grabs.

McLaren is the big favorite, especially after its lock on the front row with Lando Norris on pole, but Ferrari cannot be ruled out.

This will be an emotional event with several drivers saying goodbye.

The biggest emotion will be the goodbye of Lewis Hamilton. This is his last outing with Mercedes before officially joining Ferrari.

Lights out at Yas Marina Circuit at 1pm BST.