As the 2025 season reaches its dramatic conclusion under the floodlights at Yas Marina Circuit, the F1 Grand Prix is an extraordinary three-way duel for the drivers’ crown. Any of the top three could emerge as the world champion this Sunday in the Middle East, with all eyes fixed on Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris currently leads the way with 408 points, with Max Verstappen 12 points behind. In third is Oscar Piastri, who sits 16 points off the top spot but is mathematically still in the running.
Verstappen’s win in Qatar has set the blockbuster up, but it would take a poor performance from Norris not to clinch the title. All Norris must do is finish in the top three and it’s his. There is also the chance that even if he finishes outside the top three, he could out-score his opponents and secure victory.
Both Vestappen and Piastri have an uphill battle, but with Vestappen’s resurgence and Piastri’s form this year, anything can happen. But it will have to be near-perfect performances from the Red Bull and McLaren drivers to beat Norris to the Championship.
Check out our complete guide to the F1 race weekend here.
Norris is the favourite, and there is consensus amongst experts that he’s got this in the bag. McLaren’s form throughout the season has been stronger overall, and the math is heavily in his favour.
Although Verstappen’s Yas Marina record can’t be ignored, it just needs a clean and conservative approach from Norris to deliver McLaren its first driver’s world championship since 2008.
This is the first time since 2010 that three drivers go into the final round with a shot at the championship. We are poised for one of the sport’s most compelling finales in recent memory. And whoever emerges victorious, it’ll be a fitting end to a season defined by comebacks, mistakes, and nail-biting tension.
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