Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo retired due to mechanical failure, which was significant in facilitating fourth place for Kimi Räikkönen in the Driver's Championship.

The first Formula One eSports event was held in tandem with the Grand Prix, with British competitor Brendon Leigh winning the 2017 competition.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix takes place at sunset, leading to great changes in track and air temperature.

Sebastian Vettel set the fastest lap time in FP1 for Ferrari, just over a tenth of a second faster than Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in second, with Max Verstappen close behind in his Red Bull.

Hamilton and Bottas traded lap times whilst Räikkönen appeared to outpace Vettel in the following two positions.

In Q2, Hamilton set a marginally faster time than Bottas, whilst Vettel likewise pipped Räikkönen.

An unexpected change to the order arose when Ricciardo set a late lap ahead of Räikkönen taking P4.

Further back, Renault's Nico Hülkenberg qualified ahead of the Force Indias, amongst which Sergio Pérez led Esteban Ocon.

The other Renault driver Nico Hülkenberg incurred a 5-second stop-go penalty early in the race for gaining an advantage cutting a corner.

Later serving the penalty during a scheduled pit-stop, there was a delay removing the right-rear wheel reducing his track position to 11th.

He fought back up to 6th place to secure the points required to lift Renault up to sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

Massa finished in tenth (the last points-paying) position in the final Formula One Grand Prix of his career.