F1 title contenders: How they got here and who's bound for glory in Abu Dhabi

The 2025 Formula 1 world championship will be decided in Abu Dhabi, with Lando Norris holding a narrow lead over Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in a rare three-way showdown. Friday practice at the Yas Marina Circuit suggested Norris and McLaren have the initial pace advantage, but history has shown that nothing is certain until the checkered flag falls on Sunday.

Why it matters:

This is the first three-way title fight entering a season finale since 2010, marking a dramatic shift from Red Bull's recent dominance. The outcome will not only crown a champion but could redefine reputations and team dynamics heading into the sport's next major regulation change in 2026.

The details:

• Lando Norris (1st, 408 pts): His season has been a story of resilience. After a strong start was marred by mistakes and questions over his racecraft—culminating in a clumsy collision with teammate Piastri in Montreal—Norris mounted a remarkable late-season charge. A car failure at the Dutch GP seemed to end his hopes, but dominant wins, including a 30-second victory in Mexico City, propelled him back to the top of the standings.
• Max Verstappen (2nd, 396 pts): The four-time champion has engineered a stunning comeback, overturning a 104-point deficit after the summer break. His season has been defined by breathtaking drives, like his iconic outside pass at Imola, but also a moment of frustration in Spain where he collided with George Russell. A fifth title here, against the odds, would further cement his legacy.
• Oscar Piastri (3rd, 392 pts): Piastri's campaign has been a tale of two halves. He looked like a title favorite for months, driving with a Verstappen-like ruthlessness, but his challenge has unraveled since a controversial team order at Monza. A disastrous weekend in Baku, featuring crashes in both qualifying and the race, saw his substantial lead evaporate, leaving him needing a major turnaround in Abu Dhabi.

By the numbers:

• The 12-point gap from first to third is the smallest margin between the top three contenders entering a final race since 2010.
• All three drivers have seven wins each this season.
• In Friday's representative second practice, Norris was 0.363s faster than Verstappen on comparable soft-tire runs. Piastri, who missed FP1 due to rookie running, was 0.680s off his teammate's pace.
• Long-run data suggested McLaren holds a race-pace advantage, though comparisons were complicated by differing run lengths and fuel loads.

What's next:

All eyes turn to qualifying and the race under the Yas Marina lights. While Norris appears to have the fastest package, Verstappen and Red Bull have a history of finding significant performance overnight. Piastri must solve his car's balance issues to get back into the fight. The pressure is immense, and the championship will be won by the driver and team who can best execute when it matters most.