Norris, Verstappen and Piastri: what does each driver need to be F1 champion?

Boosted by Max Verstappen’s surprising victory at the Qatar GP, Formula 1 reaches the final stage in Abu Dhabi with an electrifying scenario: three drivers are still alive in the fight for the 2025 world title — Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

The decision will be held at the traditional Yas Marina circuit, in the United Arab Emirates. With only 25 points still available, each position in the final race can define the champion.

At the moment, Norris leads the World Championship with 408 points, while Verstappen appears right behind, with 396. Piastri is in third place, with 392.

MORE: Abu Dhabi F1 GP: classification results and starting grid for the race (07/12)

What does Norris need to take the title?

Norris enters the last race with the most comfortable lead. The Brit guarantees the championship immediately if he finishes on the podium — any place in the top three guarantees the title, regardless of what his rivals do.

Even if he finishes fourth or fifth, Norris can still be champion as long as Verstappen doesn’t win. In tighter scenarios, such as finishing between sixth and seventh, he will still win the trophy if both Verstappen and Piastri fail to win.

Even bad results — such as finishing between eighth and tenth or even not scoring — can still favor you, as long as Verstappen and Piastri perform equally poorly.

What does Verstappen need to be champion?

For Verstappen, the path is more complicated. The Dutchman would have left the fight for the title if he had not beaten the McLarens in Qatar, but his victory put him back ahead of Piastri and kept his dream of a fifth consecutive championship alive.

To be champion, Verstappen must win the race. If that happens, all it takes is for Norris not to finish on the podium for the Dutchman to take the final lead in the World Championship. If he doesn’t win, there are still possible situations with a second place, as long as Norris comes from eighth place down and Piastri doesn’t win the race.

If he finishes third, Verstappen depends on a ninth place (or worse) from Norris and Piastri being, at most, second.

If he confirms the title, Verstappen equals Michael Schumacher with five consecutive victories in the drivers’ championship.

What does Piastri need to be champion?

Piastri reaches the end of the season with the lowest odds, but still with chances. To win the title, the Australian needs to win in Abu Dhabi and hope that Norris finishes sixth or worse, in addition to Verstappen not crossing the finish line first.

There are less likely combinations — such as a second place combined with a tenth of Norris and a fourth or worse of Verstappen — but these scenarios require perfection from Piastri and considerable stumbles from rivals.

Abi Dhabi GP: classification results and starting grid