Lando Norris arrives at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the drivers’ championship lead in hand and the chance to secure his first Formula One world title, capping what has been the most complete and commanding season of his career.
The McLaren driver holds a narrow but significant advantage over Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri, setting the stage for a dramatic three-way title showdown under the lights at Yas Marina.
Norris carries a 12-point lead over Verstappen, with Piastri a further four points behind. The margins are slim, but the mathematics remain firmly in the Briton’s favour.
A podium finish on Sunday guarantees him the championship regardless of how his rivals perform. For a driver once questioned about his ability to convert opportunities into victories, this final weekend represents the culmination of years of growth, consistency and resilience.
The build-up to Abu Dhabi has been anything but smooth. Norris left the Qatar Grand Prix frustrated after a strategy call under a late safety car dropped him from a comfortable podium position to fourth.
Even so, he refused to dwell on the setback, choosing instead to focus on the bigger picture. “It wasn’t our greatest day, it wasn’t our greatest weekend,” he said after the race. “But I’ve put myself in this position. I’m still happy.” His composure in such high-pressure moments has become one of the defining traits of his 2025 season.
Practice in Abu Dhabi offered an early reminder that the weekend will not be straightforward. In the final session, Lewis Hamilton crashed, bringing out the red flag and injecting additional tension into an already delicate finale.
When running resumed, George Russell narrowly topped the timesheets, beating Norris by just four thousandths of a second. Verstappen finished the session third fastest but reported handling instability, suggesting Red Bull still had overnight work to do.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has openly acknowledged the pressure, confirming that the team is prepared to use strategic team orders if necessary. He insisted the goal is simple: maximise the highest championship outcome for the team and drivers.
Team CEO Zak Brown echoed this, saying McLaren will prioritise whichever driver has the strongest chance to secure the championship in the decisive moments. In practice, that means Piastri could be asked to support Norris if the situation demands it, though McLaren maintains that both drivers will begin the race free to fight.
For Verstappen, the equation is more unforgiving. To win the title, he must outscore Norris by at least 13 points, a gap that effectively requires him to win the race and hope Norris finishes outside the top four.
Such scenarios are rare at Yas Marina, where track position and tyre management are decisive. Nevertheless, the Dutchman has built his reputation on delivering the improbable when it matters most, and few in the paddock are willing to rule him out.
Piastri, meanwhile, stands on the edge of mathematical contention. The Australian needs to win and rely on misfortune for both Norris and Verstappen.
While the odds are long, his consistent pace throughout the season and calm temperament under pressure suggest he cannot be dismissed. Should the frontrunners falter, Piastri is well positioned to capitalise.