Of the three championship contenders, Norris is in the strongest position to win. Several factors would need to align for the British driver not to secure the championship, even if he doesn’t emerge victorious at the Abu Dhabi GP this weekend.

Verstappen secured the pole position for the year’s closing race, demonstrating his readiness to challenge for the 2025 championship and potentially claim his fifth career title.

What happens if Norris wins at Abu Dhabi GP?

If Lando Norris claims victory at the Abu Dhabi GP, he will secure his first Formula 1 world championship title. His championship lead will remain unchallenged even if Verstappen and Piastri also finish on the podium due to his existing points advantage.

Victory would elevate the British driver to 433 points in the standings, extending his lead over Verstappen by 18 points if Verstappen finish in second place at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

What happens if Verstappen wins at Abu Dhabi GP?

If Max Verstappen win at the Abu Dhabi GP, he would need Norris to place fourth or lower to clinch the World Championship. Norris finishing on the podium would render Verstappen’s victory insufficient regardless of the margin in the standings.

What happens if Piastri wins at Abu Dhabi GP?

If Oscar Piastri triumphs at the Abu Dhabi GP, he requires Norris to finish sixth or lower to capture the F1 world title. Under those circumstances, even a second-place finish for Verstappen would be inconsequential, as Piastri would hold a standings advantage.

As evidenced two years ago when Verstappen captured the title in the final two laps of the same race against Lewis Hamilton, Abu Dhabi presents the last opportunity for the Dutch driver to secure his fifth F1 championship, inching closer to the German legend Michael Schumacher, who boasts seven titles.

Norris is eager to claim his first F1 world championship and holds the best chance to do so. With his second-place starting position, he simply needs to maintain his stellar performance over the season to secure the title.

The last contender is Piastri, who requires a miracle to become the F1 world champion. Starting in third place, he must hope for both Verstappen and Norris to finish lower in the standings to win his first F1 championship.

What happens If Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri end tied?

If Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri end up tied in the standings, the British driver will be crowned world champion, thanks to the number of second-place finishes he accumulated throughout the season.

In this scenario, if Norris completes the race in ninth, Piastri in second, and Verstappen in fourth, all three would be tied at 410 points. This outcome gives Norris the greatest chance to become world champion at the Abu Dhabi GP, having consistently performed well throughout the season.

What happens if Verstappen and Norris end tied?

If Max Verstappen and Lando Norris finish tied in the standings, the British driver will claim the F1 world championship due to his superior number of second-place finishes during the season. Regardless of whether Verstappen finishes second in this race, Norris has an advantageous edge in this particular scenario.

Following his victory at the Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen closed the gap on standings leader Lando Norris and surpassed Oscar Piastri in the championship race. With his seventh win of the season, the Dutch driver is firmly focused on securing yet another championship.

Abu Dhabi has been a memorable venue for Verstappen, where he famously battled Lewis Hamilton to secure a title, with the championship being decided in the dramatic final two laps. It was a combination of luck and an outstanding performance from Red Bull Racing’s star driver that led him to victory.

There are several scenarios in which Verstappen can clinch the title. He must deliver an excellent performance, while his fate also rests on the results of the McLaren drivers. He is acutely aware of the challenge that lies ahead in his quest for the championship.

What does Verstappen need to win the 2025 Formula 1 championship?

To keep his championship hopes alive at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen needs to finish in first, second, or third place. However, for him to ultimately secure the 2025 Formula 1 championship, the following conditions must also be met:

• If Verstappen finishes first: Lando Norris must finish 4th or lower, while Oscar Piastri’s position is irrelevant.

• If Verstappen finishes second: Lando Norris needs to finish 8th or lower, and Oscar Piastri should finish 3rd or lower.

• If Verstappen finishes third: Lando Norris must finish 9th or lower, while Oscar Piastri should finish 2nd or lower.

2025 Formula 1 driver’s standings

To gain a clearer understanding of the current state of the 2025 Formula 1 Driver’s Championship, it is essential to examine the current standings. This analysis will help us identify what needs to occur for Verstappen to reclaim the F1 championship title.

1. Lando Norris – 408 points
2. Max Verstappen – 396 points
3. Oscar Piastri – 392 points
4. George Russell – 309 points
5. Charles Leclerc – 230 points

Reflecting on the season’s outset, there were murmurs about the RB21’s drivability issues. Verstappen, however, initially managed the car with no apparent difficulties, contrasting with his early-season teammate Liam Lawson, who struggled with the car’s demands.

By the third race, Red Bull made a strategic change, replacing Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda. Unfortunately, this adjustment did not yield the results Team Principal Christian Horner had envisioned. Tsunoda’s tenure has seen the second Red Bull car consistently finishing at the back of the pack this season.

While the recent setback in Austria was not entirely the team’s doing, there have been multiple instances where Red Bull has fallen short in supporting Verstappen’s contest against the McLaren drivers. Under these circumstances, reports suggest that the Dutch driver has potentially made a decision about his future in Formula 1.

According to AutoSport, reports from Italy speculate that Verstappen has made up his mind to join Mercedes next season. However, AutoSport clarifies that no decision has been finalized. “AutoSport understands that nothing has been decided yet regarding Max Verstappen’s future in F1, despite ongoing discussions with Mercedes and reports in Italy suggesting a deal is close,“ they noted on their social media platform.

Verstappen rumors intensify

It’s not just AutoSport buzzing about a potential shift from Red Bull to Mercedes for Verstappen. Sky Sports Italy has reported that an agreement might already be in place. With the British Grand Prix on the horizon this weekend, there’s growing speculation that this move could materialize next season, sending shockwaves across the F1 community.

Sky Sports echoed this on their X account, stating, “Max Verstappen is open to leaving Red Bull to join Mercedes for the 2026 F1 season, with talks intensifying ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix, according to Sky in Italy.”

Verstappen’s potential fit with Mercedes

If any driver can power Mercedes back to dominance, it’s Verstappen. His competitive mindset and strategic racing approach could be the catalyst Mercedes needs to regain its championship form in the coming seasons. With Lewis Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, Mercedes envisioned George Russell stepping into the leadership role. However, this transition has yet to meet expectations.

While Verstappen’s winning mentality is an asset, it could also present challenges. Tensions have flared between him and Russell before, and despite maintaining a cordial relationship off the track, their partnership might not be seamless if they were to team up at Mercedes.

This season’s Formula 1 regulations have undergone modifications since previous years. By 2025, officials have become more vigilant, scrutinizing every incident that might incur a penalty. This includes infractions like poor maneuvers or improper use of the DRS, with officials closely monitoring each race.

The race took a significant turn when Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli exited, prompting the deployment of the safety car. Drivers seized the opportunity to pit for tire changes. McLaren capitalized by switching to soft tires, while Red Bull, constrained to hard compounds, left Verstappen visibly frustrated.

As the race resumed, Verstappen made a daring attempt to reclaim his position. Unfortunately, his cold tires caused him to lose control momentarily, allowing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to overtake. It was a moment where everything unraveled for Verstappen.

Verstappen’s penalty explanation

While attempting to hold his position, Leclerc’s maneuver prompted Verstappen to question its legality. However, Red Bull soon advised him to concede his position to George Russell, who was running fifth, after an off-track excursion caught the officials’ attention.

The instruction served as a crushing blow to Verstappen, who saw a potential podium finish evaporate. As Verstappen prepared to yield to Russell, a premature brake application led to an unintentional collision with the Mercedes driver.

Under the new regulations, this incident was deemed a threat to Russell’s safety, resulting in a 10-second penalty for Verstappen. Consequently, this penalty demoted Verstappen from fifth to tenth in the final standings of the Spanish Grand Prix.

Verstappen secures Driver of the Day honors

Despite the absence of a podium finish, Verstappen captivated fans with his spirited drive at the Spanish GP, earning him the Driver of the Day accolade. His strategic efforts with Red Bull injected a sense of hope among their fans, yet the desired outcome remained elusive.

This penalty has significantly affected Verstappen’s position in the F1 Driver’s standings, where he now trails Piastri, the season leader, by 49 points. Additionally, Verstappen is 39 points adrift of Norris, who sits in second place.

Overall, a turbulent day for Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix ended with mixed emotions, underscoring the fine margins that define the exhilarating world of Formula 1.

While Verstappen remains near the top of the standings, teammate Yuki Tsunoda continues to struggle at the back of the pack. Tsunoda, who replaced Liam Lawson after the second race of the season, has had a difficult start, adding to the internal challenges Red Bull is reportedly facing.

Looking ahead to the next stretch of races, there are growing concerns in Austria that Red Bull could be facing a major shake-up. Reports suggest that team principal Christian Horner may step down following the Imola Grand Prix, which would mark a significant change for the team.

According to Austrian outlet OE24, Horner’s final race at the helm could be this weekend. While speculation continues to build, no official confirmation has been made regarding his future with Red Bull.

The reasons behind reported doubts about Verstappen’s team boss

Red Bull hasn’t had the strongest start to the Formula 1 season, and Horner’s future has reportedly been in question since last year. According to OE24, Horner was involved in a problematic situation with a female employee at Red Bull, which reportedly caused discomfort for team advisor Helmut Marko and star driver Max Verstappen.

“At the time, the British team boss was still protected by Red Bull’s leadership in Thailand, while the Verstappen camp, including Helmut Marko, already wanted a separation,” the outlet reported.

In addition to the off-track issues, Horner has also come under fire for the RB21’s underwhelming performance this season. Both Marko and Verstappen have expressed concerns about the car’s competitiveness, with Horner reportedly seen as one of those responsible for the car’s development struggles.

Potential Red Bull Racing replacements if Horner departs

As speculation continues to swirl, many are watching to see what happens after the upcoming Grand Prix at Imola. Two names have emerged as possible successors if Red Bull decide to part ways with Horner. One is Franz Tost, a familiar figure within the organization. The other is former Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes, who was recently replaced by Flavio Briatore.

During the 2025 F1 season, however, Verstappen hasn’t enjoyed the same clear advantage he held in previous years. While he has already claimed one victory, his head-to-head battles with Oscar Piastri suggest this could be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.

Beyond the title race, Verstappen is also dealing with uncertainty within his own team. Red Bull has struggled to find a stable second driver to support Max at the start of the season. After giving Liam Lawson a shot, the team opted to replace him just two races in, bringing back Yuki Tsunoda.

Tsunoda’s return came with high expectations, but he has yet to deliver consistent results. Following Sergio “Checo” Perez’s strong performances in recent years, the bar has been set high for Verstappen’s teammate, and so far, Tsunoda is still adjusting to the car.

Verstappen’s reported offer to leave Red Bull

Amid ongoing uncertainty within the Red Bull camp, rumors continue to swirl around Verstappen’s future with the team, speculation Max briefly addressed prior to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Now, a new report suggests Aston Martin could be preparing a blockbuster offer to lure him away.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Aston Martin is reportedly ready to table a staggering three-year, $300 million offer to sign Verstappen. The surprise proposal is said to be backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns approximately 20.5% of the team and is driving the push to secure the Dutch driver.

“The offer would reportedly be funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF, which owns about 20.5% of the team,” La Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The news has already sparked a frenzy among fans, with speculation mounting that Verstappen could make the switch as early as next year.

Verstappen reacts following Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

As Formula 1 turns its focus to the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen addressed a controversial moment from Saudi Arabia, a five-second penalty for a grid infringement. Speaking to the media post-race, he didn’t hold back.

“It’s better we don’t talk about it, because we are anyway not allowed to express our opinion on that,” Verstappen said. With his attention now on Miami, he remains in close pursuit of the top spot in the F1 standings, trailing Oscar Piastri, the current leader, who recently matched a milestone previously held by Sebastian Vettel’s former Red Bull teammate.

Ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen remains confident in his ability to fight for the championship. While he has publicly admitted that the current Red Bull car is difficult to handle, the Dutch driver now faces another challenge, uncertainty over his future with the team.

Reports have surfaced suggesting Verstappen is considering a departure from Red Bull in pursuit of new goals with another team. But on Thursday, the reigning world champion addressed those rumors directly.

“Honestly, a lot of people are talking about it—except me,” Verstappen told reporters. “I just want to focus on my car and work with the people in the team. That’s the only thing I’m thinking about in Formula 1. I’m very relaxed.”

Verstappen reflects on Red Bull struggles and the 2025 F1 season

In addition to addressing rumors about a potential departure from Red Bull, Verstappen shared his thoughts on the car’s performance and the team’s struggles during the Bahrain Grand Prix. The reigning champion managed to climb to sixth place in the final lap, salvaging valuable points after a difficult weekend.

“Naturally, Bahrain wasn’t a great weekend for us, and I think we were all pretty disappointed,” Verstappen admitted. “But we just keep trying to improve the car and come up with new ideas. The competition is tough, but that’s how I approach my weeks, always trying to improve the situation.“

Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Verstappen remains focused on improving his performance in a challenging car. As teams previously linked to the Dutchman begin to solidify their lineups for upcoming seasons, it appears Verstappen is committed to working through Red Bull’s early-season hurdles.

Verstappen opens up on Red Bull’s internal frustration

At the start of the season, setbacks have tested Red Bull’s typically smooth operations. While they remain within reach in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings, frustration has crept into the paddock as expectations clash with on-track results.

Verstappen addressed the mood inside the team following Bahrain in the Formula 1. “I think they were just having conversations about everything, which I believe is completely fair,” he said. “We were all frustrated with the result and the things that went wrong during the race. Raymond, Helmut, and even Christian [Horner] sat down to talk it through. That kind of discussion should be allowed.”

“I think Max Verstappen is the best, I’ve been saying that for several years. He has reached a level that the rest of us haven’t reached yet. I like it when people win who don’t have the best car. And I think everyone agrees with that…There have been periods of dominance over the last 20 years in Formula 1. Great teams and drivers, but the wins were a little bit easier. With Max, except in 2023, he had serious competition in 2022 and also last year. And obviously in 2021, with Lewis Hamilton,“ confessed Fernando Alonso on GPblog.

It is difficult not to admire Max Verstappen. At just 27 years old, he has already made Formula 1 history. The Dutch driver has won four championships in a row. He continues to prove his dominance and control behind the wheel. His talent emerged early, and that changed everything. At just 17 years and 166 days, he became the youngest driver to race in F1. In the same season, he impressed fans and experts alike. As a result, he won the FIA Rookie of the Year award.

This season, Max Verstappen continues to prove why he is one of the elite drivers in Formula 1. He sits second in the standings with 61 points, just behind Lando Norris. His consistency remains impressive, as he keeps delivering top-level performances year after year. Because of that, his talent stands out in every race weekend.

Fernando Alonso recently praised Verstappen’s run of success. He claimed that Max’s recent championships were tougher than many in past decades. This shows how Verstappen rises above strong competition. Even against rivals with equally competitive cars, he manages to maintain an edge.

F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya gives controversial opinion on Max Verstappen’s success

Fernando Alonso recently praised Max Verstappen. However, not everyone in Formula 1 shares the same opinion. Some believe his dominance comes more from his Red Bull car than his driving skills. That does not mean Verstappen lacks talent. Still, many argue he could not achieve the same results with a car like Aston Martin’s or even with other mid-level teams.

Adding to the debate, Colombian F1 legend Juan Pablo Montoya shared his thoughts. He offered a surprising perspective on Verstappen and his current performance level.

“That Red Bull (car) is not easy to drive. Max made the comment that if he was in a McLaren they wouldn’t have seen it, but I think Max’s handling is so specific to what he needs, that where he would ride in the McLaren he wouldn’t go fast…He wouldn’t go slow, no, but look when Red Bull started winning everything the one that came fast was Checo. The Mexicans were saying, we have a world champion,” stated Montoya on MontoyAS.

Meanwhile, other teams are strategizing to avoid falling further behind Red Bull and McLaren. As two of the fastest cars on the grid, Ferrari and Mercedes are eager to challenge for podium finishes in the upcoming races.

One team facing early-season struggles is Alpine F1. With former Verstappen teammate Pierre Gasly and rookie Jack Doohan, Alpine is aiming to score its first points of the year after coming close in the recent Japanese Grand Prix.

In light of this, Gasly sent a clear message to his fellow drivers about the team’s determination to secure those first points. “I think it’s going to be good to reset after the first three weekends on a track we know,” Gasly said. “The good thing is that we get to race again next week, so we’ll try to get those points next weekend.”

Gasly’s thoughts on the car

After the Japanese Grand Prix, Gasly spoke with the media about the challenges the team faced in securing their first points. He and teammate Doohan both made attempts to break into the points, but several issues with the car hindered their efforts.

“We had a small issue at the pit stop, which I’m not sure about yet, but we’ll review it. Ultimately, we just lacked a bit of pace to be in the top 10. It wasn’t a huge gap, but it did feel like we were a bit off the pace,” Gasly said.

On the other hand, Doohan expressed his excitement about the upcoming race in Bahrain, where he’s eager to help the team secure its first points of the season. “I can’t wait for it. We just need to keep working together as a team, keep pushing, and get those points. That’s what’s important,” Doohan remarked.

Next stop for Verstappen: Bahrain

With his first victory of the season already in the books, Verstappen and his team are eager to race in Bahrain this weekend. For the Dutch driver, it will be a special moment as he has won the Bahrain Grand Prix twice before and could tie Fernando Alonso in the podium of the most wins at the circuit.

However, Verstappen will have to wait for another opportunity to become the all-time winner at this race, as Lewis Hamilton has claimed victory five times. Sebastian Vettel is second on the list, with four wins.

While both Hamilton and Schumacher are tied for the most F1 titles with seven championships each, many consider Schumacher to be the greatest of all time. Dominating the early 2000s, Schumacher’s addition to Ferrari remains one of the most significant in the team’s history.

Hamilton, too, has carved out a remarkable legacy with McLaren and Mercedes, delivering some of his best performances in his career. He also surpassed Schumacher as the driver with the most pole positions in F1 history. Now, in his first season with Ferrari, Hamilton has the potential to become the first driver to win eight championships.

However, despite the achievements of these two drivers, former F1 star Jaime Alguersuari weighed in on the GOAT debate during an interview with TalkSport, naming his pick after having competed against both Hamilton and Schumacher on track.

“We have to understand that Max [Verstappen] is probably the best driver ever in F1. And that’s because of his complete education, his experience, and his mindset. It’s unbelievable to see what he did in Australia, especially driving a car that is not at all the best on the grid,“ Alguersuari said.

Alguersuari explains why he chose Verstappen over Hamilton and Schumacher

Jaime Alguersuari didn’t hold back when discussing his belief that Max Verstappen is the greatest of all time (GOAT) in Formula 1. In addition to making the bold claim, the Spanish driver explained why he chose Verstappen over other legends like Hamilton and Schumacher. With just three years in the sport, Alguersuari had the unique opportunity to compete against Verstappen, Hamilton, and Schumacher, with the Dutch driver emerging as his top choice.

“He’s simply able to handle every kind of situation or problem better than anyone else. It’s as simple as that,” Alguersuari said. “[It’s his] intelligence, how he reads the car, how he feels the car, how he manages the tires, how he approaches the race, and how he performs even when he’s not in the car, understanding the dynamics of the sport.”

Alguersuari’s F1 career

Despite not securing a race win in his three years in Formula 1, Alguersuari was one of the first drivers to help develop the Toro Rosso project, Red Bull’s sister team. Throughout his brief F1 career, he earned significant recognition, notably becoming the youngest driver to score points at the age of 19.

However, his career didn’t unfold as expected. His best season came in 2011, when he managed to score points in seven races, with a seventh-place finish being his best result that year.