For the first time since 2010, the World Drivers’ Championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi in a three-way battle. Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris all have the chance to win the title. There are only sixteen points between first and third place as we come into the race weekend, so the Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thriller.
Designed by iconic F1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke, the track is beloved by fans and drivers. After its introduction in 2009, Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso praised its unique and enjoyable nature. After complaints about lack of overtaking opportunities, changes to the track were made in 2021. The modified version has allowed for exciting Grands Prix, with turns being widened to allow cars to carry more speed. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the only ‘twilight race’ on the F1 calendar, meaning it starts in daylight and ends under floodlights. It has also been the season finale Grand Prix since 2009, meaning there is always a buzz around it. Even casual fans have heard of this circuit, thanks to the infamous 2021 Grand Prix where Max Verstappen controversially won his first championship. Lewis Hamilton finished second, after race director Michael Masi did not follow the correct safety car procedure.
With the title fight still on the line, the only true talking point in this week’s race is the championship. Despite a frustrating Qatar Grand Prix, Lando Norris can win his first ever World Drivers Championship as long as he finishes on the podium. In the last two Grands Prix, the Briton scored only twelve points. With the pressure on, it will be a difficult task to seal a top-three finish. As for Max Verstappen, he can win his fifth title by coming first in the Grand Prix, as long as Norris finishes fourth or lower. If he finishes second, Norris has to finish eighth or lower. But the Dutchman has closed a 104-point gap to only 12 points, and everyone knows that, with Verstappen, anything is possible. Oscar Piastri has the toughest task – he must finish 1st and Norris must finish 6th or lower in order to win the championship. In 75 years of F1, the title has been decided in the last race 31 times prior to this week’s race. However, in only nine of these, the title winner was not the driver already leading the championship. In 2010, Sebastian Vettel came from third in the standings to win his first world championship. Could Piastri do the same? There is also another problem with all three drivers being so close together on points. If Piastri doesn’t win the Grand Prix, Verstappen finishes second, and Norris finishes seventh, the latter two would be tied on 414 points. The usual procedure is to decide the champion based on how many wins they’ve had in the season. However all three drivers have taken seven victories in 2025, making this a little bit complicated. Then, the title would be decided on the number of second place finishes, of which Norris has the most. So in any scenario when drivers are tied on points, Norris will emerge victorious.
Max Verstappen has been the most successful of all three drivers at the Yas Marina circuit, winning the race every year from 2020 to 2023. However Norris won from pole in 2024, meaning he has experience winning here too. Oscar Piastri is the underdog in this situation, as he finished 10th in 2024. His only success at Abu Dhabi came in 2021, where he won the Formula 2 feature race from pole position. Verstappen’s four victories give him the clear lead in overall success at the circuit. He is certainly a man on a mission, as proved by his win in Qatar last race weekend, and if one thing is certain, it’s that he will race until the chequered flag is waved.
