What Norris, Verstappen and Piastri need for the title at the Abu Dhabi GP – F1

Max Verstappen’s victory in the Qatar GP, held on Sunday (30), left the decision of the drivers’ title for the 2025 Formula 1 season to the last race. In Abu Dhabi, Lando Norris, Verstappen and Oscar Piastri have real chances of becoming champions.

This is the first time in four years that the champion will be known in the last race of the year. The most recent was in 2021, when Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen arrived tied at the Abu Dhabi GP, and the Red Bull driver won the first of four career world titles.

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Chances of Lando Norris being champion

Lando Norris arrives in Abu Dhabi with the most direct chance of becoming champion. The Brit reaches the end of the championship basically depending on himself to win his first title in Formula 1. To lift the cup without looking at any opponent, he needs to finish the GP in third place.

Even so, Norris has margin if he doesn’t reach the podium. It also guarantees the title if Max Verstappen finishes fourth or worse. Furthermore, the McLaren driver benefits if Oscar Piastri finishes the race only in third or lower.

Max Verstappen’s chances of being champion

Current four-time world champion, Max Verstappen arrives at the Abu Dhabi GP at a disadvantage in the table and needing more complex scenarios to win the title.

The Dutchman needs to win the race, with Norris finishing fourth or worse. In this case, the Red Bull driver would take the top spot in the table for the first time this season in the last race of the year.

If he doesn’t win, he could be champion with a second place, as long as Norris finishes eighth or worse and Piastri doesn’t win. The same goes for a third place, but Norris would have to be ninth or worse, and again Piastri cannot win.

Oscar Piastri’s chances of being champion

Oscar Piastri arrives in Abu Dhabi as the third member of the dispute, still alive, but in a more delicate situation than his rivals. The Australian has an obligation to win the race. Furthermore, he needs Norris to also finish sixth or worse, regardless of Verstappen’s position.

The margin is narrow: any result other than victory immediately eliminates Piastri’s chances.

Score of candidates for the title