As usual, a list comprised of six drivers and usually three team representatives has been published by the FIA, requiring their presence before the media prior to the official start of the Grand Prix weekend

On Thursday, at 14:30 Abu Dhabi local time, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Mercedes’ George Russell and Racing Bulls’ - soon to be Red Bull Racing’s - Isack Hadjar will pick up the mic and answer the media’s questions, as the first two drivers enter the final race of the season with a chance to take P2 in the Constructors’ Standings for their respective outfits. The French Algerian will certainly be asked to react to the 2026 step-up to Red Bull.

The second group of drivers is scheduled to go on at 15:00 Abu Dhabi local time and comprises title rivals Norris, Verstappen and Piastri. The top two contenders for the championship had a brief war of words in Qatar where the British driver defiantly responded to the Dutchman’s claim that he would’ve won the championship already had he been driving the McLaren, saying Verstappen and Red Bull often talked “nonsense,” to which the reigning F1 champion answered by saying he simply “put facts on the table.”

On Friday, McLaren CEO Zak Brown and title rival Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies are required to appear before the media at 15:30 hrs Abu Dhabi local time, alongside former Red Bull Sporting Director and current Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley.

The Formula 1 app briefly named Norris as the 2025 World Champion before the Abu Dhabi finale; find out more here.

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