Three Drivers, One Title: Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri Face Off

The stage is set for an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where three drivers—Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri—are vying for the coveted world championship title. With just one race to go, Norris leads the standings, holding a narrow advantage of 12 points over Verstappen and 16 points ahead of his McLaren teammate Piastri. The Yas Marina Circuit will host this final showdown, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

How Lando Norris Can Secure the Championship

For Norris, the path to his first world title is straightforward. If he finishes on the podium in Abu Dhabi, he will clinch the championship regardless of the outcomes for his rivals. A fourth-place finish would require Verstappen to refrain from winning the race. Should Norris retire or finish without scoring points, he would depend on Verstappen finishing off the podium and Piastri not exceeding third place to maintain his lead.

Norris’s scenarios for victory include:

1. Finishing in the top three.
2. Finishing fourth while Verstappen does not win.
3. Retiring or scoring no points, combined with Verstappen finishing below the podium and Piastri in third or lower.

Max Verstappen’s Road to a Fifth Title

Verstappen is determined to secure his fifth consecutive drivers’ title, a record only matched by Michael Schumacher. To achieve this, the Dutch driver must finish on the podium and ideally win the race. His victory would hinge on Norris not finishing in the top three.

Verstappen’s conditions to win are as follows:

1. Winning the race.
2. Norris finishing outside the podium.

This scenario could pivot the championship in Verstappen’s favor if he can execute a flawless race while capitalizing on any misfortune that may befall his competitors.

Oscar Piastri’s Championship Possibilities

Piastri enters the Abu Dhabi race with a faint chance of claiming his first title. To do so, he must secure a top-two finish. Even with a victory, he requires Norris to finish sixth or lower to overcome the point deficit. If Piastri finishes second, he would need Norris to place tenth or lower and Verstappen to finish off the podium.

Piastri’s scenarios for championship victory include:

1. Winning the race while Norris finishes sixth or lower.
2. Finishing second while Norris places tenth or lower and Verstappen does not finish on the podium.

The dynamic on the track will not only test the skills of these drivers but also their ability to navigate the complexities of championship pressure.

Tiebreaker Scenarios and Historical Context

Should both Norris and Verstappen finish with the same points, a tiebreaker would come into play, focusing on the number of race wins. Each driver has secured seven victories this season, making second-place finishes a critical factor. Norris leads this metric with eight second-place finishes compared to Verstappen’s six and Piastri’s four. Therefore, should a tie occur, Norris would emerge as the champion.

Historically, this championship will be only the 32nd instance where the title race has gone to the final race since the sport’s inception 75 years ago. Notably, only nine times has the championship leader failed to win the title, with Sebastian Vettel being the last to do so in 2010, overcoming a 15-point deficit.

The Drivers’ Championship trophy will not be awarded during the Abu Dhabi race but at the FIA Prize Gala, taking place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on December 12, 2025. McLaren has already secured the Constructors’ Championship title earlier in the season, adding another layer of excitement for the team’s drivers.

As the final lights go out in Abu Dhabi, the racing world will hold its breath, eager to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling championship battle.