LIVE Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020: All the action from Yas Marina Circuit

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The cars are keeping those new tyres warm by zig-zagging under a real safety car now as we get into proper twilight time. They launched the Merc to take place of the virtual car as Perez’s car is still marooned at the side of the track in a dangerous spot. 

Woah! Last week’s winner in Sakhir – Sergio Perez – pulls over with an engine fail. Tragic for the Mexican and he has his head in his hands. Mayhem in the pit-lane as everyone pits under the virtual safety car. 

Vettel is fighting tooth-and-nail in his final Ferrari run down in 12th spot. Teammate Leclerc is all over him but the German is holding him off so far. 

Also, the pit-lanes will be chocka come first pit-stop time, when they come in for one of the key strategies of this race – tyre management and degradation.  

With all 20 away safely there are battles for position all over the track as they string out. Fascinating tussle between Ferrari teamates Vettel and the young Leclerc. 

Max is opening up a +2s gap over Bottas as the Dutchman leads for the first time ever at Yas Marina Circuit. 

We are away for the final race of the year. Top three get away in order, and remarkably all 20 get through the first turns and the hairpin safely. Verstappen from Bottas from Hamilton at the top. And breathe! 

The boys set off on their procession lap as the sun dips down to the horizon and the lights come on at Yas Marina Circuit.

We are minutes away from lights out. Max Verstappen on pole remember, with Bottas second and Hamilton third. Many have been talking about how the start will be key to this one. Let’s see.. 

You can hear the echoes of the assembled teams on the starting grid, due to the coronavirus-enforced empty stands. There may be no fans but the UAE national anthem and traditional flyover by the Etihad Airways flagship monster of the sky and escorting Al Forsan jets painting the UAE colours across the sky still gives me goosebumps.

The teams are up to their pre-race preparations, and Ferrari’s outgoing four-time champ Sebastian Vettel has been given a guard of honour by his pit crew are he drives out onto the grid for the last time in the famous red car. 

As the shadows get longer and we approach lights out (5.10pm, UAE time) for the twilight race in Abu Dhabi, get your teeth into all things F1 here in our interactive special report.

Hamilton qualified third behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas on Saturday evening and afterwards admitted he was still feeling the after effects of the COVID-19 illness. However, defiant as ever, he vowed to give it his all to finish the season on a high in Abu Dhabi.

Lewis Hamilton has already tied up his record-breaking seventh Drivers’ Championship title, but there is still plenty to chew over on this sunny Sunday in Abu Dhabi.
Firstly there is the man himself. It was touch-and-go as to whether he would be driving at all after testing positive for coronavirus in Bahrain two weeks ago and had to skip the Sakhir Grand Prix last week — the first time in his career he missed an F1 race.

The wait is over… Welcome to our live coverage of the season-ending Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital.