ALL ROADS LEAD TO ABU DHABI

The 2025 F1 season, has been nothing short of amusing from unexpected podiums, to rookie brilliance, stunning comebacks, and McLaren taking home the Constructors Championship. But as we approach the final race of the season, there’s still one lingering question: Who will be the 2025 World Drivers Champion?

It’s a three-way battle between reigning champion Max Verstappen, and McLaren’s young stars Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Piastri dominated early with 6 wins and 12 podiums in 14 races. Norris was close behind with 5 wins, while Max struggled with car issues, claiming just 2. Though in true Mad Max fashion, he stormed right back in the second half of the season, claiming 5 wins and 9 consecutive podiums which put him back into contention. Norris stayed consistent with 2 wins and 5 podiums while Piastri performance faltered, only having 1 win and 3 podiums. Lando’s victory in Mexico allowed him to overtake Oscar for the top step in the drivers championship. Additionally, last weekend in Qatar, a bad strategy call by McLaren caused Oscar to further drop in the championship standings even after a weekend of dominance. Max’s win allowed for him to creep up to second putting the standings at: 1.NOR 408, 2.VER 396, 3.PIA 392, going into the final race of the season.

In qualifying this weekend (the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix), Max (with help of his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda) was able to push for a triple purple sector lap in Q3 securing him pole position for the title deciding race. Lando followed behind, finishing ahead of his teammate and other championship rival, Oscar, securing 2nd and a front row start. Despite the great position, his disappointment of not securing pole was evident. Finally, Oscar was able to finish 3rd, meaning our 3 championship contenders will be the first 3 cars lined up on the grid for tonight. So what does each driver need to do to win the championship?

Last season’s championship runner-up yet this seasons championship leader, LANDO NORRIS has spent the past 23 races climbing his way to the top step of the standings. Norris took the championship lead early this season before his teammate, Oscar Piastri stripped it from him in Saudi Arabia. Nonetheless, Lando strived to take his position back, and finally earned it in Mexico City. Starting from P2 tonight, with his closest championship competitor 12 points behind yet starting ahead in P1, Lando looks to be in a great position to go home with a title.

Lando’s consistency throughout the season has earned him the highest of chances at winning the world drivers championship as he possess 408 points and a 79% chance at victory. Here what the fast star needs to achieve:

• Norris finishes on podium ---> He guarantees the tittle, regardless of where Verstappen and Piastri finishes

• Norris finishes P4-P5 ---> Verstappen must finish 2nd or lower, Piastri can finish anywhere

• Norris finishes P6-p7 ---> Verstappen must finish 2nd or lower, Piastri must finish 2nd or lower

• Norris finishes P8 ---> Verstappen must finish 3rd or lower, Piastri must finish 2nd or lower

• Norris finishes P9 ---> Verstappen must finish 4th or lower, Piastri must finish 2nd or lower

• Norris finishes P10 ---> Verstappen must finish 4th or lower, Piastri must finish 3rd or lower

• Norris finishes P11 ---> Verstappen must finish 4th or lower, Piastri must finish 3rd or lower

Overall, Lando has the greatest chances of victory and with the pace of his McLaren plus his consistency at achieving podiums, this title seems to be calling his name louder and louder.

The 4x reigning world drivers champion, MAX VERSTAPPEN, took a slow start to the season due to multiple car issues, dropping to 3rd in the drivers championship. He fell around a hundred points behind 2nd place and many started to speculate whether this would be the season Max would recede back to #33. Yet his constant feedback on the car allowed redbull to re-evaluate and bring the car back to standard. A late season lunge, in true Max-comeback fashion, put him back into contention and tie Lando and Oscar at 7 race wins this season. From 100 points behind 2nd place to just 12 points behind 1st, Verstappen has flawlessly demonstrated that the battle is not truly over until the last race.

Max’s late-season chase allowed him to overtake Oscar(due to a bad strategy call) for 2nd in the championship and secured him pole position for tonight. He possesses 396 points with a 15% chance at victory. Heres what needs to be achieved in order for him to win:

• Verstappen finishes P1 ---> Norris must finish 4th or lower, Piastri can finish anywhere

• Verstappen finishes P2 ---> Norris must finish 8th or lower, Piastri must finish 3rd or lower

• Verstappen finishes P3 ---> Norris must finish 9th or lower, Piastri must finish 2nd or lower

Overall, Max has demonstrated fantastic resilience and a phenomenal comeback. Although his chances may not be as high as Lando’s, nothing is ever impossible to the dominant Max Verstappen.

Mclarens young, rising star, OSCAR PIASTRI, grasped the early season with predominance as he heightened the world drivers championship lead going into the F1 summer break. However, post summer break, his dominance fluctuated as we entered what has been known to be his weaker stretch of the season. He fell behind Lando in the championship fight and wasn’t up to his usual calibre. Fans speculated whether McLaren was bugging with his car or if Oscar was simply failing to perform. Despite his dominance throughout the entirety of last weekend, McLaren’s bad strategy call led to him falling further down in the championship.

Oscar’s season has been full of ups and downs but it has, ultimately, been his best so far, considering this is only his 3rd season in F1. Although his chances are not as high as the other championship contenders, he still possess a 6% chance at victory. Heres what needs to be achieved in order for him to win:

• Piastri finishes P1 ---> Norris must finish 6th or lower, Verstappen can finish anywhere

• Piastri finishes P2 ---> Norris must finish 10th or lower, Verstappen must finish 4th or lower

Regardless of his low chances at the championship this year, he’s had a phenomenal season and can still fight for this win tonight. With much support from around the world, Oscar Piastri still has a chance to push for the victory and continuing fighting until its all over.