ABU DHABI (MNN); Formula One’s 2025 season will conclude with a thrilling three-way title decider on Sunday, as McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri attempt to halt Max Verstappen’s bid for a fifth consecutive world championship.
Norris enters the finale at Yas Marina as the favourite, holding a 12-point advantage over Verstappen. A podium finish will be enough to secure his maiden title, regardless of who wins the race.
The season — the last before F1 expands to 11 teams and introduces new rules and engines — has featured dramatic comebacks, unpredictability, and setbacks for all three contenders. Each has secured seven race victories but has also endured retirements due to crashes or collisions, keeping the championship wide open.
Norris mounted a strong resurgence after trailing Piastri by 34 points in August, turning the tide with consistent podiums. Last year, he won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole after narrowly losing the title fight to Verstappen.
Piastri, who led the standings from April to October, seemed poised to become Australia’s first world champion since 1980 but now trails Norris by 16 points. To win the title, he must finish first or second and hope for an upset — a scenario that has occurred twice in the past 25 years.
Verstappen, meanwhile, remains firmly in contention despite being 104 points behind Piastri just three months ago. Victories in Las Vegas and Qatar revived his campaign, and another strong performance in Abu Dhabi — a circuit where he previously won four straight times — could secure him the crown if Norris misses the podium.
McLaren, despite leading the constructors’ standings dominantly, recently suffered setbacks with a double disqualification in Las Vegas and strategic errors in Qatar. The team is aiming to secure its first drivers’ and constructors’ double title since 1998.
Beyond the title fight, several other teams will be competing for crucial championship positions.
Mercedes and Red Bull are battling for second in the constructors’ standings, with Mercedes looking stronger thanks to George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Yuki Tsunoda will make his final appearance for Red Bull before being replaced by Isack Hadjar next season.
Ferrari have one last chance to win a race in 2025, while Lewis Hamilton faces the prospect of completing a season without a podium for the first time.
Sauber, preparing to rebrand as Audi next season, are only five points behind Haas, while Alpine are set for their final race with Renault engines before switching to Mercedes power.
