Abu Dhabi Final: Norris, Piastri and Verstappen Vie for 2025 F1 Title

With one race left in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the title is a three‑way battle following a dramatic Qatar Grand Prix that reshaped the standings.

Max Verstappen closed the gap on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, leaving Norris 12 points ahead with Piastri four points behind in the approaching final round in Abu Dhabi.

After Qatar, the mood is tense but hopeful for fans: anything can happen in a race that will decide who becomes champion. The Qatar setback also revived debates about race strategy and how teams balance risk and fairness in a title fight.

The Qatar twist and final‑race pressure

The decisive moment came with a late safety car following the clash between Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly. Pirelli, the tire supplier, had warned teams to limit new tire runs to 25 laps due to the demanding Lusail layout. With 50 laps remaining, pitting under the safety car carried a strong time advantage, so most teams stopped for fresh tires. McLaren, however, chose not to pit for Norris and Piastri, a decision that reshaped the race outcome.

Verstappen seized the opportunity, using the pit window to gain a strategic edge. Norris questioned the decision after the fact, asking why his team did not cover Verstappen with a stop, while Piastri faced a separate path to the podium depending on the final pit plan.

McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella explained the choice was driven by a fear of losing track position on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult. He added the team would review the call in depth to learn and improve, while striving to treat both drivers fairly.

Was McLaren's call a mistake?

The move sparked debate across the paddock. With a late safety car, the option to pit could have yielded track position, yet the potential for a long, hard restart away from Verstappen remained, depending on how others reacted. Some rivals suggested McLaren over‑thought the situation in an attempt to keep both drivers in the fight, while others argued the team’s stance on fairness risked sacrificing a race‑winning chance.

Stella defended the decision as a pragmatic balance between keeping both drivers competitive and avoiding a costly double‑stack stop that could drop Norris behind rivals already on track. He emphasised that the review would be thorough and objective, aimed at strengthening the team for the season finale and beyond.

Path to the title

Heading to Abu Dhabi, Norris carries a slender advantage. He simply needs to finish third in the final race if Verstappen wins the race to secure the championship title. Piastri, four points behind Norris, also has a chance if the final results swing in his favor, making the Abu Dhabi finale a true three‑way showdown.

Verstappen remains dangerous, pursuing a fifth consecutive drivers' title. His mindset is straightforward: focus on genuinely delivering the best possible performance and control what he can influence, even from a points deficit.

A classic showdown looms

For Formula 1 fans, the Abu Dhabi finale promises a peak moment—one of those rare seasons where three drivers enter the last race with a real shot at the crown. The 2010 title duel between Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel is often cited as a historic analogue for how the final race can flip the championship in dramatic fashion.

The Qatar result rekindled that drama, turning a routine season closer into a nerve‑jangling fight. Norris remains the favorite on points, but Verstappen’s momentum and Piastri’s pace ensure the outcome is far from settled.

Expert comment

Andrea Stella stresses a disciplined post‑race review and a commitment to fairness while acknowledging the need to learn from Qatar. He says the team will use the experience to sharpen strategy and performance as they head into Abu Dhabi.

Summary

Qatar changed the trajectory of the 2025 title battle by lifting Verstappen into contention and narrowing Norris's lead. The final round in Abu Dhabi will determine whether Norris seals the title, Verstappen extends his streak, or Piastri completes a dramatic comeback. The race will test strategy, timing, and the ability of McLaren to balance fairness with ambition.

Key takeaway: The Abu Dhabi finale will decide the championship as a three‑driver battle, where tire strategy and race management could swing the title in an instant. Source: BBC Sport