Abu Dhabi F1 showdown: How Norris, Verstappen, or Piastri can win the 2025 title

Abu Dhabi F1 showdown

Lando Norris remains the leader in the Formula 1 world championship, yet he faces a tense final weekend in Abu Dhabi after a frustrating race in Qatar. The title fight has tightened, leaving Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri with mathematical chances to claim the crown.

Norris: The favorite under pressure

Norris enters the season finale with a slim points advantage after several strong early performances. However, mechanical issues and strategy missteps in recent rounds have allowed his rivals to close the gap.
To secure the title, Norris must finish within the top three, regardless of who wins, assuming no major incidents occur.

"We’ve worked so hard to be in this position. Now it’s about staying calm and finishing strong," Norris said ahead of the weekend.

Verstappen: The relentless pursuer

Verstappen’s late-season surge has reignited his championship hopes. His dominant pace in the second half of the year, combined with Red Bull’s consistent race strategy, has positioned him just a few points behind Norris.
For Verstappen to win the championship, he needs victory and for Norris to finish outside the podium.

"Anything can happen in Abu Dhabi. We’ve turned around worse situations before," Verstappen commented.

Piastri: The dark horse

Oscar Piastri remains a long shot but mathematically still in contention. The McLaren driver would need a win combined with retirements or poor finishes from both Norris and Verstappen to claim the title.
His calm demeanor and efficient racecraft have made him one of the standout performers of 2025.

"I’ll give everything and see where we end up. It’s been an unbelievable season either way," Piastri said.

What’s at stake

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to deliver one of the most dramatic conclusions in recent F1 history. McLaren, for the first time in over a decade, could see two of its drivers fighting for the world championship, while Verstappen aims to reclaim his dominance after a challenging campaign.

Author summary: The 2025 F1 title fight in Abu Dhabi sees Norris leading narrowly, with Verstappen chasing fiercely and Piastri staying hopeful for a miraculous last-round victory.

Motor Sport Magazine — 2025-11-30