The 2025 Formula 1 season has been anything but predictable. While McLaren have cruised to back-to-back Constructors’ Championships — wrapping up the title as early as October — the Drivers’ Championship has been a thrilling rollercoaster from start to (almost) finish.
With just a few races remaining, Lando Norris has edged ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, while Max Verstappen is mounting a late charge to defend his crown. Fans and punters are already checking the latest F1 odds as the title race looks destined to be decided in Abu Dhabi, just like the unforgettable 2021 finale between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Let’s take a look at the defining moments that have shaped this extraordinary season.
Piastri: The long-time leader
For much of the year, Piastri looked untouchable. The Australian built a commanding 34-point lead at the top of the standings and appeared set to cruise to his first world title. He dominated the early rounds, winning seven of the first 15 Grand Prix, including a stunning hat-trick in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Miami, followed by a statement victory at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
But Formula 1 can be brutally unforgiving. Piastri’s form has collapsed in recent weeks, failing to reach the podium for four straight races. Questions have been raised over his race management and driving tactics, and with the momentum swinging toward his teammate, Piastri suddenly finds himself fighting just to stay in contention.
Norris: The new favourite
Norris began the season perfectly, winning the opening race on Piastri’s home soil at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. From there, he’s shown both maturity and aggression, adding iconic wins in Monaco and Silverstone to his growing list of career highlights.
His latest triumph in Mexico, where he led from lights to flag, marked his sixth victory of the campaign and crucially propelled him past Piastri in the standings. With just one point separating the McLaren teammates at the time of writing, Norris has emerged as the new favourite for the title. But as history shows, even the smallest of margins can prove decisive in Formula 1’s high-stakes world.
Verstappen: Back in the race
At one stage, Verstappen trailed Piastri by 104 points, and his bid for a fifth Drivers’ title looked dead in the water. But the reigning champion has rediscovered his form in dramatic style. Over the past six races, Verstappen has finished on the podium every time, including victories in Italy, Azerbaijan, and the United States.
Now just 36 points off the lead, the Dutchman is back in contention — and few drivers are more dangerous in a late-season charge. A single win, coupled with a misstep from McLaren’s duo, could blow the title race wide open once again.
How will it end?
This year’s finale promises all the drama and tension fans could hope for. Norris may have the upper hand for now, but Piastri and Verstappen won’t go quietly. It will come down to composure, consistency, and perhaps a touch of luck under the Abu Dhabi floodlights.
Will it be Verstappen’s experience, Piastri’s resilience, or Norris’s breakthrough moment that decides the 2025 championship? One thing’s for sure — Formula 1’s final act of the season is going to be unmissable.
Written by Pete Worsfold
