After Max Verstappen's dramatic victory in Qatar, the battle for the 2025 Formula 1 world title remains alive until the final round. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is becoming the scene of a three-way clash - a situation not seen since 2010, when as many as four drivers had a mathematical chance of the trophy.
On the eve of the final race, all eyes are on McLaren stars Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre, as well as Red Bull Racing ace Max Verstappen. With only 25 points left to win (Abu Dhabi is not a sprint weekend and points are no longer awarded for the fastest lap), the tension is palpable.
Lando Norris: A podium is enough
Lando Norris is the undisputed favorite and his position is the most comfortable. To seal his first Formula 1 world title, the young Briton needs just 13 points, regardless of the performance of his rivals.
Norris becomes champion in Abu Dhabi if:
Finish on the podium (1st, 2nd or 3rd place) - This is the cleanest and surest path to the title.
Finish 4th or 5th, provided that Max Verstappen does not win the race.
Finish 6th or 7th, provided that neither Verstappen nor Piastre wins.
Fun Fact: If Norris is 7th and Verstappen is 2nd, they will both have 414 points. Norris wins the title on the basis of more second places, as they have the same number of wins.
Finished 8th, Verstappen is outside the top two, and Piastre does not win.
Finished 9th, Verstappen is not on the podium (1st, 2nd, or 3rd), and Piastre does not win.
Fun Fact: If Norris is 9th, Piastre 2nd, and Verstappen 4th, all three have 410 points. Norris takes the title because of more second places.
Finished 10th, Verstappen is off the podium, and Piastre is not in the top 2.
Did not score points (11th place or worse, even relegation), but Verstappen is not on the podium, and Piastre is not in the top 2.
Max Verstappen: Hope lies in the opponent's mistake
After winning the previous round, Max Verstappen had a slim chance. He can't afford to finish lower than third and has to pray for mistakes from the McLaren driver.
Verstappen becomes champion if:
Wins the race and Norris finishes 4th or lower.
Finishes 2nd, Norris is 8th or lower and Piastre doesn't win.
Note: If Verstappen is 2nd and Norris is 7th, the title goes to Norris because of the most second places.
Finishes 3rd, Norris is 9th or lower and Piastre doesn't win.
Verstappen cannot become champion if he finishes 4th or lower, regardless of what his rivals achieve.
Oscar Piastre: It takes a sporty cataclysm
Oscar Piastre's chances are strictly mathematical and require both of his rivals to suffer a serious setback.
Piastre becomes champion if:
Wins the race, and Norris finishes 6th or lower.
Finishes 2nd, Norris is 10th or lower, and Verstappen finishes 4th or lower.
Piastre cannot become champion if he finishes 3rd or lower, regardless of the results of Norris and Verstappen.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be interesting. The race will be held on December 7th at 15:00 Bulgarian time and will be of critical importance in determining the Formula 1 World Champion for 2025.