The 2025 Formula One Championship is set for a thrilling finish as three drivers battle it out for the title heading into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 7 December. Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri are involved in a three-way showdown as all three have the chance to become world champions during the race at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Verstappen has momentum on his side won the Qatar GP on Sunday 30 November. Piastri finished second and Norris was fourth as the reigning world champion cut his lead to 12 points heading into the final race. It is also significant that with the win in Qatar he gained a four-point lead over Piastri.
Verstappen enjoyed a sensational second half of the season, at one point being 104 points behind the championship leader. He has now finished on the podium in nine consecutive races, winning five of them. The win in Qatar also saw him move level with Norris and Piastri for most wins this season with seven.
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Norris leads the way with 408 points but will be looking over his shoulder as Verstappen has 396 and Piastri 392. Abu Dhabi has been the site of title drama in the past as Verstappen won his first world championship at the Yas Marina circuit, beating Lewis Hamilton to the finish line.
Since the stakes are high and the margin for error is smaller, let’s look at all the permutations needed for each of these three to win the title.
POINT SYSTEM F1
1st – 25 points
2nd – 18 points
3rd – 15 points
4. – 12 points
5. – 10 points
6. – 8 points
7. – 6 points
8. – 4 points
9. – 2 points
10. – 1 point
HOW CAN NORRIS WIN THE TITLE?
At the moment, Norris is the favorite to win the title. If the British driver manages to finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi, he will be crowned the new world champion, regardless of what Verstappen and Piastri do in the race.
However, if he finishes fourth like he did in Qatar, then Norris will need Verstappen not to win the race. If he retires or finishes outside the points, Norris will need Verstappen to finish outside the podium and Piastri to finish third or lower.
HOW CAN VERSTAPPEN WIN THE TITLE?
Verstappen will need to stand on the podium to have any chance of winning a record-equalling fifth consecutive F1 title. He will need to win in Abu Dhabi and hope Norris finishes fourth or lower. If he finishes second, the Dutchman will need Norris to finish 8th or lower and Piastri to finish 3rd or lower.
If Verstappen is to finish third in Abu Dhabi, he will need Norris to finish 9th or lower and Piastri to finish 2nd or lower.
HOW CAN PIASTRI GET THE TITLE?
Piastri will need to finish in the top two in Abu Dhabi to claim the title. Even if he gets to the checkered flag first, he will need team-mate Norris to finish sixth or lower at the Yas Marina Circuit.
If he finishes second in Abu Dhabi, he will need Norris to finish 10th or lower and Verstappen to finish fourth or lower.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TOP TWO AGREE?
That’s a real possibility, especially with three competitors fighting for the crown. For example, if Piastri doesn’t win and Verstappen finishes second and Norris seventh, then the latter will be tied on 414 points.
In this case, the number of wins in the season will be counted. However, since all three men have seven wins, the number of second place finishes will be taken into account. In that case Norris has the edge as he has eight second places compared to Verstappen’s six and Piastri’s four.
Either way, if there is a tie, then Norris will be the one to walk away with the crown.
– The end
Published on:
December 1, 2025
