The 'What Ifs' That Decided the 2025 F1 Title

Lando Norris clinched the 2025 Formula 1 championship by a razor-thin two points over Max Verstappen, but the title fight was a season-long saga of high-stakes 'what ifs.' A series of crucial mistakes, strategic blunders, and unfortunate incidents involving all three top contenders—Norris, Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri—ultimately decided one of the closest championships in recent memory, leaving all three to ponder what might have been.

Why it matters:

This retrospective underscores the razor-thin margins that define Formula 1, where a single lap or a strategic call can alter history. The 2025 season wasn't just a demonstration of Norris's championship mettle but also a testament to how easily the title could have gone to Verstappen or Piastri. It validates all three drivers as worthy contenders and sets the stage for an intensely competitive 2026 season fueled by the lessons and regrets of this campaign.

The details:

The championship was decided by a handful of pivotal moments that swung points in dramatic fashion.

• Max Verstappen's costly errors: The Dutchman's title bid was significantly undermined by his own actions. His 'red mist' collision with George Russell in Spain cost him nine points, while a separate incident in Austria where he was taken out by Kimi Antonelli resulted in an eight-point loss. These two moments alone represent a 17-point swing.
• Oscar Piastri's missed opportunities: Piastri's challenge was derailed by early and late misfortune. A late spin in wet conditions at Australia in the opening round cost him a certain podium and 16 points. Later, a baffling McLaren strategy call in Qatar likely cost him a race win, which would have put him within striking distance of Norris heading into the finale.
• Lando Norris's near-disasters: Despite winning the title, Norris faced significant setbacks. A retirement in the Netherlands while running second cost him 18 points, and a double disqualification for McLaren in Las Vegas due to plank wear saw him lose a further 25 points, nearly handing the championship to Verstappen.
• The Monza team orders: McLaren's decision to have Piastri give back second place to Norris resulted in a six-point swing. While it didn't ultimately change the outcome due to other results, it created internal friction that may have affected Piastri's performance in subsequent races.

Looking Ahead:

While Norris is the deserved champion, the legacy of the 2025 season will be the 'what ifs' that haunted Verstappen and Piastri. This tightly contested fight will undoubtedly fuel the fire for the 2026 season. The psychological scars from near misses, the strategic lessons learned by McLaren, and Verstappen's relentless pursuit of redemption will be central narratives, promising another epic battle for motorsport's ultimate prize.