Fans favor Verstappen for 2025 title in final showdown

Max Verstappen is the clear fan favorite to snatch the 2025 Formula 1 world championship from Lando Norris in the season finale at Abu Dhabi, according to a major fan poll. A victory for Verstappen would not only complete a stunning late-season comeback but also tie him with legends Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio as a five-time world champion.

Why it matters:

The championship battle has boiled down to a three-way fight between Verstappen, Norris, and Oscar Piastri, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic finales in recent memory. Verstappen's potential fifth consecutive title would cement his status among the all-time greats, while a win for Norris or Piastri would mark a monumental shift in the sport's power dynamics and crown a first-time champion.

The details:

The poll, which attracted nearly 29,000 votes, showed strong support for Verstappen to claim the title. The Dutch driver trails Norris by just 12 points heading into the decider, with Piastri a further four points back. The trio locked out the front row in qualifying, with Verstappen on pole ahead of Norris and Piastri.

• Norris's Path: The McLaren driver holds the simplest route to the title—he must simply finish on the podium to be crowned champion, regardless of what his rivals do.
• Verstappen's Path: To win his fifth title, Verstappen must win the race and hope Norris finishes off the podium. A victory with Norris in the top three would not be enough for the Red Bull driver.
• Piastri's Path: The Australian's only guaranteed route to the championship is to win the race himself, which would then require Norris to finish sixth or lower for the title to change hands.

The big picture:

This climax is the product of a remarkable second-half surge from Verstappen, who has clawed back a significant points deficit to Norris over the final months of the season. The intense three-way battle underscores the increased competitiveness at the front of the grid, breaking the recent era of single-driver dominance and delivering a nail-biting conclusion for fans.

What's next:

All eyes are on the Yas Marina Circuit for the championship-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The complex strategic scenarios mean the title could be decided by on-track battles, pit stop execution, or even reliability, promising a high-stakes finale where every position will be fiercely contested.