ALMS 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi preview

The stage is set, and the titles are up for grabs. This weekend, the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi brings the curtain down on the 2025–26 Asian Le Mans Series season. Here is everything you need to know before the green flag drops on our final stop of the year.

The No.83 AF Corse Oreca 07 leading several cars during the 2025 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

Entry list

46 cars will line up on the grid this weekend. There are only five changes from the faces we saw in Dubai. LMP3 side No.85 R-ace GP enters a completely new set of drivers with Le Mans Cup winners Pierre-Alexandre Provost and Fabien Michel returning to the cockpit. The duo will be joined by 18-year-old New Zealander Zack Scoular.

In GT, Riccardo Agostini and Custodio Toledo will join Francesco Castellacci in the No.54 AF Corse. Fred Poordad's return to the No.30 RD Limited will be subject to a doctor's clearance after the American withdrew before the 4 Hours of Dubai qualifying.

Track profile

Situated on Yas Island, the Yas Marina Circuit has hosted both F1 and the ALMS season finale since 2021. For the 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi, the series utilises the full 5.541 km refurbished Grand Prix layout to assist overtaking.

Regarded as one of the most expensive circuits ever constructed, the facility was built entirely on an artificial island. However, despite its world-class amenities, the original layout was frequently criticised for its lack of overtaking opportunities.

The track features permanent lightning, as the events often run during the transitional phase from daytime to nighttime. Another signature feature of the track is its pit lane exit passes underneath the circuit.

Cars will brake hard at Turn 6 after a long straight, where they reach their top speeds | Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

The 2021 reconfiguration improved the circuit's flow, opening up overtaking opportunities at the Turn 5 hairpin, the new banked Turn 9 and the widened hotel section between Turns 12–14. The prime overtaking spot is the back straight between Turns 5 and 6 and Turn 9, where the Oreca 07 LMP2 cars can hit speeds close to 300 kph.

The undercut remains a strong weapon due to the track's high tyre degradation and technical final sector. However, the circuit's smooth surface can make generating tyre temperature a challenge. Those on fresh rubber will hold a significant advantage while navigating the intricate Sector 3, where grip is at its optimum.

As the race transitions from day to night, the cooling ambient temperatures will play a major role. Once the sun sets, the smooth asphalt stops radiating heat, making it even harder for drivers to find grip. The out-lap becomes critical; if a driver cannot generate tyre temperature immediately after a pit stop, the undercut will fail.

What to watch in 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi

LMP2: CrowdStrike Racing and Cetilar Racing eye the ultimate prize

After sweeping the 4 Hours of Dubai race weekend, CrowdStrike Racing by APR enters the final rounds levelled on points with Cetilar Racing, with 80 points to their name. The automatic invitation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans awaits the team that takes the crown.

Cetilar currently leads the LMP2 championship due to their two wins and one second place, compared to CrowdStrike's two wins and two third places.

The No.47 Cetilar Racing Oreca 07 during the 4 Hours of Dubai last weekend | Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography

While the spotlight is currently on our top two contenders, the championship is still wide open. With 52 points on the table, the third-placed No.25 APR entry sits 16 points behind, RD Limited with 37 points and the No.5 United Autosports on 29 points.

The United side, however, has a massive mountain to climb as they need to win both races from pole and for all their rivals not to score this weekend.

LMP3: Eight teams within mathematical chance for the title

Eight LMP3 teams are still within mathematical contention to secure the title this weekend in Abu Dhabi. No.17 CLX Motorsport currently leads the championship with 69 points, with four poles, one win and two podiums.

Right behind them by a point is the No.13 Inter Europol Competition, which took a win in Dubai. No.29 Forestier Racing by VPS' strong back-to-back second places in Dubai lurk in third with 61 points, still chasing that elusive first win of the year.

No.71 23Events Racing sits fourth with 58 points, fresh from their win in Dubai Race 2. With 52 points to be won, No.94 High Class Racing (42 pts), No.8 Team Virage (34 pts), No.85 R-ace GP (24 pts) and No.26 Bretton Racing (20 pts), all still have a shot at the title.

GT: No.74 Kessel Racing ready to close the deal

The competition may look fiercer on the table for the LMP2 and LMP3 classes, as the No.74 Kessel Racing has the biggest tally over its rivals heading to the last rounds. With 72 points, they hold a 21-point advantage over the reigning GT champion, the No.10 Manthey Racing.

The only other teams still capable of denying the Kessel Racing side are: No.9 GetSpeed (49 points), No.69 Team WRT (43 pts), No.87 Origine Motorsport (42 pts) and No.92 Manthey Racing (40 pts).

Race weekend schedule

The 4 Hours of Abu Dhabi weekend will commence with the 90-minute free practice sessions on Friday, 6 February. The first session will take place at 16:00 local time (12:00 GMT), followed by the second session at 19:45 (15:45 GMT).

Saturday’s schedule begins with a qualifying triple-header: GT at 10:10 (06:10 GMT), followed by LMP3 at 10:40 (06:40 GMT) and LMP2's session at 11:15 (07:15 GMT).

The weekend’s first four-hour race will get underway at 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT). The weekend will be concluded with the second race at 16:30 (12:30 GMT) on Sunday.

The qualifying session and the races will be available to stream globally for free via the Asian Le Mans Series channel on YouTube.