F1 Title Showdown: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen in Final Three Races

The 2025 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship is heading for a thrilling conclusion with three races remaining, as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen all remain in contention for the title. After 21 rounds, the championship battle is poised for its climax across a triple-header of decisive Grands Prix.

Why it matters:

After a season of intense competition, the F1 Drivers' Championship comes down to a three-way fight among two rising stars and a four-time world champion. This dramatic conclusion will not only crown a new champion (or an existing one) but also set the tone for the 2026 season, especially with McLaren already securing the Constructors' title.

The details:

• Current Standings: Lando Norris (McLaren) leads with a 24-point advantage over teammate Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is 25 points further back, currently in third.
• Form Guide: Norris is in superb form, having secured back-to-back pole positions and race wins, along with a Sprint victory in Interlagos. This propelled him from hunter to the hunted.
• Piastri's Recent Struggles: Piastri, who once held a 34-point lead after winning the Dutch GP and Norris's DNF, has not scored a podium in the last four rounds, seeing his lead vanish.
• Earliest Title Decider: The championship cannot be clinched in Las Vegas, as Norris can only extend his lead to a maximum of 49 points. The earliest a title could be won is in Qatar, where a driver would need a minimum 26-point buffer over the second-place contender.
• Remaining Races and Points: A maximum of 83 points are available across the final three Grands Prix (25 points per win) and one Sprint race (8 points).
  • Las Vegas Grand Prix (Nov. 21-23): 25 points for the winner.
  • Qatar Grand Prix (Nov. 28-30): 33 points (includes Sprint race).
  • Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Dec. 5-7): 25 points for the winner.

The big picture:

Beyond the drivers' title, the battle for second place in the Constructors' Championship is fierce, with Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari vying for crucial prize money and momentum. Mercedes currently holds second with 398 points, 30 points ahead of Red Bull. Ferrari sits fourth with 362 points after a double DNF in São Paulo. Interestingly, finishing lower in the Constructors' standings grants more wind tunnel time for next season's car, which could be a strategic advantage given the significant rule changes coming in 2026.

What's next:

The F1 circus heads to Las Vegas for the penultimate race, where Norris will aim to consolidate his lead while Piastri and Verstappen will push hard to close the gap. With tight margins and high stakes, the upcoming triple-header promises an exhilarating conclusion to one of the most unpredictable F1 seasons in recent memory.