The 2025 Formula 1 season will go down as one of the greatest title fights in modern history. After a scorching race weekend in Qatar, the championship battle between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen has tightened to a knife’s edge, setting up a winner-takes-all finale under the lights in Abu Dhabi.
Qatar delivered tension, controversy, and a finish that has left the three contenders separated by barely anything as the paddock heads to Yas Marina for the season decider.
What happened in Qatar?
Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Pole-setter Oscar Piastri looked set to deliver on a strong weekend, with his teammate Lando Norris alongside him on the front row. But the race quickly spiralled into chaos for McLaren. On lap 7, a collision between Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly triggered a safety car, just as a 25-lap tyre stint limit loomed large over every team’s pit-stop calculus.
While most teams dove for fresh rubber under the safety car, McLaren kept both Piastri and Norris out, which was a bold gamble that backfired badly. The decision left them effectively needing two pit stops, while rivals (most crucially Red Bull Racing) could manage with just one.
From there, it was all downhill. Max Verstappen, starting third on the grid, seized the moment, jumped Norris into turn 1 and rejoined under the safety car on fresh tyres. As the race settled, he methodically pulled away. Piastri managed to hold onto second after his final stop, but Norris, forced through the two-stop strategy, rejoined amid traffic and could only salvage fourth.
In the end, Verstappen crossed the line 7.995 seconds ahead of Piastri to claim victory, while a delighted Carlos Sainz (Williams Racing) grabbed a deserved podium. Norris, clutching fourth, could only watch the gap to the title shrink.
What the table looks like now
- Lano Norris (McLaren) 408
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 396
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 392
That means just 12 points now stand between Norris and Verstappen, with Piastri only 4 points behind the Dutchman. All three have claimed seven wins this season, underscoring just how tight and unpredictable this title race has become.
What to expect in the finale: all eyes on Abu Dhabi
With the season finale at Yas Marina Circuit just days away, several compelling storylines are now in focus:
- Pressure on McLaren: The defeat in Qatar wasn’t down to pace. McLaren had the speed. It was a strategic misstep. Going into Abu Dhabi, the team must manage tyre strategy perfectly. If they falter again under pressure, the title could slip through their fingers.
- Momentum advantage for Verstappen: Winning Qatar gives him not just points, but a psychological edge. He’s shown time and again under pressure that he thrives, and a 12-point gap is far from overwhelming.
- Piastri as potential spoiler: With only four points separating him from Verstappen, if Piastri finds pace and fortune in Abu Dhabi, he could upset both rivals. That could force a sniff of disarray in team dynamics at McLaren or shift the championship entirely.
- Tactical plays and tyre management: Given how significant the tyre-stop decisions proved in Qatar, strategy will likely dominate the final weekend. Which teams trust their gut could decide the championship.
- Mental resilience under the spotlight: With the title on the line, mistakes, however small, will be ruthlessly punished. Who handles the pressure best? That may matter more than raw speed.
Final word: a season re-defined and a finale no one will forget
What began as a seemingly straightforward run-in for a championship under two weeks ago has now turned into one of the most unpredictable, high-stakes finales in recent F1 history. With three drivers in real contention and a mix of strategy, speed, pressure and grit waiting in Abu Dhabi, the 2025 title is very much up for grabs.
Expect a drama-packed weekend, with the Driver’s Championship title up for grabs for all three drivers.
