F1 standings 2025, explained: How Max Verstappen can pull off all-time upset over Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri

Entering the final race of the Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri all have a chance to make history.

Verstappen arrives at the season finale in Abu Dhabi with an opportunity to complete a historic late-season comeback and claim his fifth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship, which would match the legendary record set by Michael Schumacher. Both Norris and Piastri are chasing their first-ever titles, while Verstappen aims to join the sport’s elite.

After closing a massive points gap with a dominant victory in Qatar, the Red Bull driver now sits just 12 points behind championship leader Norris, setting up a tense, three-way finale that includes Norris’s McLaren teammate Piastri. While Norris remains the favorite—needing only a podium finish to secure his maiden title—Verstappen’s momentum has made him a serious threat.

Here's where the standings lie entering the final race.

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F1 standings

This is where the top 10 stand heading into the final race.

At this point, it's a three-headed race between Norris, Verstappen and Piastri for the championship.

TOP THREE STATS 👀

It's so close! 🤏#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/KIMwcIJKBh

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 4, 2025

Norris enters Abu Dhabi as the favorite. 

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How Max Verstappen can win 2025 F1 championship

For Verstappen to secure the championship and his fifth straight title, he needs a specific combination of results. He is the underdog, requiring help from the other drivers, as Norris needs only a podium finish (3rd place or higher) to secure the title, regardless of where Verstappen finishes.

Here's the scenarios that need to happen if Verstappen finishes on the podium.

With Norris entering at the top, it's hard to believe he will finish fully off the podium. Per ESPN, "the odds are still against the Dutchman."

Has Max Verstappen won an F1 championship?

Verstappen has won four F1 championships in a row, winning titles consecutively from 2021 to 2024.

If Verstappen wins again on Sunday, he will join Michael Schumacher as the second driver in history to win five consecutive F1 championships.

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How Lando Norris can win 2025 F1 championship

Out of the three contenders, Norris has the easiest pathway to the title: get on the podium.

The driver is in position to win his first ever F1 championship, and will do so if he finishes in first, second or third in Abu Dhabi. If he does not, though, he will still clinch the championship if Verstappen does not win the race.

With any of the following results, Norris will secure his first championship.

Has Lando Norris won an F1 championship?

Norris has never won an F1 championship.

He is currently the championship leader heading into the final race of the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi, which means he is the favorite to win his maiden title this weekend. He is aiming to become the 11th British driver to accomplish this feat.

Norris was the runner-up in the 2024 season, falling just short to Verstappen. He has a chance for revenge this weekend.

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How Oscar Piastri can win 2025 F1 championship

Piastri's chances to win the championship are not as high as his teammate, Norris. In fact, he has to finish second and above, while getting some help. Piastri cannot win the title if he finishes third or lower.

Here's the scenarios where Piastri will win.

The key takeaways for Piastri are:

• He must finish second or higher
• Norris needs to finish sixth or lower
• Verstappen can't make the podium

If Piastri ties on points with Norris or Verstappen, the tie-breaker would be the number of second-place finishes, where Norris has the advantage (Norris: 8, Verstappen: 6, Piastri: 4).

Has Oscar Piastri won an F1 championship?

Piastri has not yet won a Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship, but the Australian is currently one of three drivers mathematically in contention for the 2025 title, heading into the final race weekend in Abu Dhabi.

While he is yet to claim the sport's ultimate prize, Piastri has enjoyed significant success in his early career, including multiple Grand Prix wins — nine to date — and is the only driver in history to win the Formula Renault Eurocup, FIA Formula 3, and FIA Formula 2 championships in successive rookie seasons.

This weekend's finale presents his first opportunity to secure the F1 title, currently sitting third in the standings behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.