As the three-way title battle reaches its conclusion at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the permutations for the battle are far from simple.
The Abu Dhabi GP will decide the driver’s championship for the first time since 2021, when Max Verstappen became a first-time champion in a now-infamous race.
2025 sees the first three-way title fight since 2010, with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Verstappen all within touching distance of motorsport’s ultimate prize.
All three contenders will need to execute perfect weekends and avoid a faux pas caused by themselves or a wider team issue.
How Norris can seal a maiden title
Norris has, in theory, the best chance of becoming World Champion in Abu Dhabi, holding a 12-point advantage over Verstappen.
To take the title, he simply needs to win the race or finish inside the top three, regardless of what Verstappen and Piastri achieve on race day.
Should he fail to do this and suffer a repeat of his race-pace issues in Qatar by finishing fourth or fifth, Verstappen, in this scenario, must not win the race.
Finishing sixth or below complicates matters further, with his title rivals needing to either not win the race or finish below third.
If the worst-case scenario during the race plays out and he is eliminated in the race, Verstappen must be off the podium while Piastri must place no higher than third.
How Verstappen can complete remarkable turnaround
Versappen’s second half has seen a momentous title charge, eradicating a 104-point deficit in just six races, helped by McLaren’s disqualification in Las Vegas.
To become World Champion for a fifth consecutive time, Verstappen, like Norris, must finish on the podium, whilst hoping the Briton misses out on the rostrum.
Given Norris’ struggles in recent races, the permutations of the championship leader finishing in the lower order are plausible.
Should Verstappen finish second, Norris would need to take the chequered flag in eighth place, while third for the Dutchman would need Norris to finish ninth.
How Oscar Piastri can become Australia’s third F1 champion
Piastri enters the Abu Dhabi GP as the outside pretender to Verstappen’s crown, having once had a comfortable hold on the championship lead.
To rescue his title aspirations from the jaws of defeat, he must finish in the top two to stand any chance of leaving Abu Dhabi as champion.
Should he be in the race, Norris would need to finish no higher than sixth place, while second for the Australian would need Norris to finish 10th.
In these scenarios, Verstappen would be out of contention if Piastri won, while the Dutchman would need to be third should Piastri take second.
If in the unlikely scenario the top two drivers are level on points by the end of the race, Norris would take the title on countback of second places, as all have taken seven wins.
READ MORE – Oscar Piastri denies FP1 absence will compromise title-deciding Abu Dhabi F1 weekend
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