10 hours ago
6
Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
Throughout this season, McLaren have declined to back either Norris or Piastri as their main title contender, instead encouraging fair racing between the two drivers. It has made for some thrilling battles – but the fabled “papaya rules” will be remembered as a colossal failure if Verstappen snatches the title for Red Bull today.
Today could be different, with McLaren chief Zak Brown confirming that team orders will come into play if required. “We’re realistic, we want to win this drivers’ championship. If we get into the race and it’s becoming pretty clear one has a chance and the other doesn’t, we’re going to do what we can to win. It would be crazy not to.”
Team principal Andrea Stella has backed that message today, telling Sky Sports: “the team comes first”. I wonder how Piastri, the championship leader for so long, really feels about that.
Max Verstappen starts on pole and the defending champion won’t be holding back. “All out, I have nothing to lose,” he said after qualifying. “For me, of course, I’m going to try to win the race. I’m going to defend. If I need to attack, I’ll attack because what can happen? You’re either second or third or you win. That would be fantastic.”
As for Norris, he’ll be world champion as long as he finishes in the top three, regardless of what Verstappen does. “I’m not too bothered to be the hunter or the hunted,” he said. “To be hunted is fine because you’re the one with the advantage in the first place. That’s good. And, of course, I would sign for that now. I’m still going to go into tomorrow and plan for how we can win the race.”
The season so far: part four
Tensions grow in the McLaren paddock, and Norris emerges as the driver most likely to hold off Verstappen’s late charge … before high drama in Vegas
Singapore: Title fight boils over A weekend of anger at Marina Bay, with Verstappen accusing Norris of impeding him in qualifying. Russell wins the race from pole but behind him, Norris’ bold early move riles Piastri to spoil McLaren’s constructor title party.
United States: Max pressure Verstappen dominates in Texas to move within 40 points of Piastri, who stumbles to fifth place. Norris wins a battle with Charles Leclerc for second place and moves 12 points behind his teammate in a three-way title race.
Mexico City: Norris takes the lead For the first time since April, Piastri is off the top of the drivers’ standings as Norris overtakes him by a point. The Briton wins from pole in Mexico with Leclerc second, Verstappen third and the fading Piastri finishing fifth again.
São Paulo: Lando’s title to lose? Norris wins from pole again to open a 24-point lead over his teammate, who is fifth for the third race in succession. Verstappen grabs the headlines, though, with a charge from 19th on the grid to finish third behind Kimi Antonelli.
Las Vegas: McLaren’s desert disaster Verstappen romps to victory in Vegas with Norris second and Piastri fourth; but after the chequered flag, both McLarens are disqualified due to skid-block wear. Verstappen moves level with Piastri and 24 behind Norris in the title race.
Qatar: Norris title on ice Piastri takes the sprint race and pole position but Verstappen wins the race after McLaren make a costly pit-stop error. Piastri is second but Norris can only finish fourth, failing to seal the drivers’ title but holding a 12-point lead before the final race.
Roll of honour
A first world title for Lando Norris would break the eight-year run of Hamilton/Verstappen titles, and deliver McLaren’s first drivers’ crown since 2008, when Norris was nine years old. He would also become the 11th British F1 world champion.
If Verstappen wins, he will be the first man to win five titles in a row since the great Michael Schumacher – and move joint-second alongside Juan Manuel Fangio in the all-time standings, behind only Hamilton and Schumacher.
As for Oscar Piastri, he is bidding to become the third F1 world champion from Australia – and the first since Alan Jones in 1980. Either he or Norris would also be among the 10 youngest world champions – a list topped by 23-year-old Sebastian Vettel in 2010.
World champions since 2000:
2000: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2003: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2004: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2005: Fernando Alonso (Sp) Renault
2006: Fernando Alonso (Sp) Renault
2007: Kimi Räikkönen (Fin) Ferrari
2008: Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren
2009: Jenson Button (GB) Brawn
2010: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2011: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2012: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2014: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2019: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2020: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2021: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2022: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2023: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2024: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
The season so far: part three
Christian Horner leaves Red Bull and while the title looks to be Piastri’s to lose, a Verstappen double gives the defending champion hope …
Belgium: A new era at Red Bull In the first race after Christian Horner’s departure, Verstappen cannot match the McLarens in a rain-delayed showdown at Spa. Piastri overtakes pole-sitter Norris early on and cruises to his sixth victory of the season.
Hungary: A two-horse title race? In the last race before the mid-season break, a one-stop strategy pays off for Norris, who holds off Piastri in a late battle. Piastri leads the title race by nine points; Verstappen finishes ninth and drops 97 points behind.
Netherlands: Lando’s body blow Chasing pole-sitter Piastri for the race win, Norris is denied by a rare malfunction that hands his teammate a huge boost in the title battle. Verstappen is second in front of his home faithful, while Hamilton also crashes out.
Italy: Tension at McLaren Verstappen’s third GP win of the season – and second in Italy – is almost an afterthought at Monza. Piastri has to surrender second to Norris after a pit-stop calamity, putting intense focus on McLaren’s management of the title race.
Azerbaijan: Baku in the race? Verstappen claims a clinical pole in a windswept, red-flag hit qualifying session, and wins the main race after a rare Piastri error. With his teammate out on the first lap, Norris cannot take advantage as he struggles to seventh place.
While you’re here, why not sign up for The Recap – our weekly newsletter packed with the Guardian’s best sport features, delivered every Sunday? And if sporting photography is your thing, our new Sport in Focus email is essential viewing.
The season so far: part two
The summer swing through Europe (and Canada) saw McLaren in dominant form …
Emila Romagna: Roles reversed at Imola Piastri starts on pole but Verstappen finds a moment of magic to overtake on the first lap and claim a crucial victory in the first European race of the season. Norris is second, Piastri third and Hamilton fourth.
Monaco: Norris cleans up Seeking his first race win since the opening weekend, Lando Norris claims pole in Monaco and holds off Charles Leclerc for his first grand prix win on the famous street circuit – and trails Piastri by just three points in the title race.
Spain: Verstappen loses his cool Piastri leads a McLaren one-two from pole and frustration gets the better of Verstappen. The Dutchman clatters into George Russell’s Mercedes late in the race and is hit with a penalty that leaves him in 10th place.
Canada: Russell wins, McLarens collide Russell holds off Verstappen to win from pole and gain revenge for Barcelona, while Norris takes responsibility for a late collision with Piastri that ends the Briton’s race. Kimi Antonelli completes a papaya-free podium.
Austria: Red Bull’s home discomfort A rough weekend for Verstappen, who labels his car ‘undriveable’ after qualifying, then crashes out on the first lap. Norris wins from pole but is pushed to the limit by Piastri, who apologises for a risky attempted overtake at turn four.
Britain: Mixed emotions for McLarens Norris savours his first home F1 victory but Piastri is left furious after a 10-second penalty for braking in front of Verstappen. The champion starts on pole but ends up fifth; hopes of retaining his title look bleak at the halfway mark.
“I remember the first year when Verstappen won, a lot of anger was aimed at him – including BTL here,” writes Simone Kamp. The gist was that his car was the reason he had won and that he was arrogant. I hope people now have a better idea of who he is and of his qualities as a driver.”
“As for today, he can only win really, he has nothing to lose; while Norris has everything to lose and is, at times, his own worst enemy. May the best man win.”
The 2025 season so far: part one
Each of the three title contenders have won seven grands prix so far in an enthralling season. Here’s how it all unfolded, starting at Albert Park in March.
Australia: Norris strikes first McLaren live up to their pre-season billing with a dominant performance in Melbourne as Lando Norris storms to victory in the rain. Teammate Oscar Piastri pushes him all the way before spinning late on, finishing ninth in his hometown race.
China: Piastri on the board Lewis Hamilton wins the sprint race in Shanghai, but the weekend ends with both Ferraris disqualified after the main event. Piastri wins from pole with Norris second, setting up a potential title race between the two flying McLarens.
Japan: Verstappen hits back With his Red Bull future still uncertain, defending champion Max Verstappen wins his fourth straight race at Suzuka from pole. Running in third behind Norris, Piastri’s request to overtake his teammate and challenge Verstappen is denied.
Bahrain: Oscar’s winning performance Piastri delivers another nerveless victory from pole at Sakhir, with Mercedes’ George Russell in second. In a scrappy race behind them, Norris is third with Verstappen toiling in sixth place.
Saudi Arabia: Norris under threat After a crash in qualifying, Norris can only finish fourth in Jeddah while his Australian teammate claims a third victory in five races. Piastri takes the lead in the title race after denying pole-sitter Verstappen, who suffers an early penalty.
Miami: Piastri takes charge Again, Verstappen starts on pole but is usurped by the dominant Piastri, who opens a 32-point lead over the champion. Norris is hampered by an early clash with Verstappen but ends up second as McLaren outpace their rivals.
Dave Estherby points out another potential title pathway: “Verstappen can also become world champion by ramming Norris off the road.”
As mentioned below, Lewis Hamilton has been involved in his fair share of big F1 finales, but the seven-times world champion could scarcely be further from the title battle today. Hamilton ends a hugely disappointing first campaign with Ferrari 16th on the grid, after a third straight elimination in the first round of qualifying.
“I don’t have the words to describe the feeling that I have inside,” said Hamilton on Saturday. “An unbearable amount of anger and rage. There is not really much I can say about it.” The Briton’s latest setback in qualifying came after he crashed out of final practice, finishing 11 places behind teammate Charles Leclerc despite quick repairs.
Hamilton has not made the podium this season and has been out-qualified by Leclerc 19 times out of 24. Asked if he had an action plan in place to improve his dire run, he said: “Not at the moment, no. I don’t have any plans for anything.”
F1's recent final-day title battles
2007: Räikkönen wins three-way race
Despite ending up beached on his way to the pits at the previous race in China, rookie Lewis Hamilton arrived in Brazil with a four-point lead over McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso, and seven clear of Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen. A gearbox glitch put Hamilton in deep trouble at Interlagos, and while he recovered to finish seventh, Räikkönen won the race and the title by a point with Alonso third in São Paulo.
Final standings: Räikkönen 110, Hamilton 109, Alonso 109.
2008: Hamilton’s redemption in Brazil
Hamilton was on the brink of failure at Interlagos for a second consecutive year when championship rival Felipe Massa won for Ferrari. But, in rain-hit conditions, Hamilton passed Toyota’s Timo Glock at the final corner to finish fifth, beating Massa to the title by a single point. The Brazilian continues to pursue legal action over missing out on the title due to the ‘Crashgate’ controversy at the Singapore GP. Hamilton 98, Massa 97.
2010: Vettel snatches the crown
Now at Ferrari, Alonso headed to Abu Dhabi eight points ahead of Red Bull’s Mark Webber. The Australian’s teammate, Sebastian Vettel, was a rank outsider, 15 points off the pace. But Vettel won from pole position, and Ferrari’s calamitous strategy left Alonso stuck in seventh when the chequered flag fell. Webber finished eighth and Vettel began a streak of four consecutive world titles. Vettel 256, Alonso 252, Webber 242.
2012: More heartbreak for Alonso
Vettel’s hopes of a third straight title appeared all but over after an early tangle with Bruno Senna in Brazil, with Alonso poised to claim his third championship. The German fought back from last place to finish sixth in a rollercoaster race. Alonso finished second behind Jenson Button, missing out on the title by three points. Vettel 281, Alonso 278.
2014: Hamilton’s double delight
Double points were awarded for the first and only time at the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi as Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg fought for glory. Rosberg took pole but the Briton got ahead at the first bend and romped to glory. Rosberg then suffered engine problems and ended the race in 14th place. Hamilton 384, Rosberg 317.
2016: Rosberg’s revenge
The Mercedes men battled it out again two years later at Yas Marina, but this time the German held the upper hand. Hamilton had to win and hope Rosberg finished fourth or lower; he controlled the race but Rosberg stayed clear of the pack and crossed the line in second to take the title – before retiring five days later. Rosberg 385, Hamilton 380.
2021: Verstappen’s first title
In a winner-takes-all shootout between Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who started level on points, the challenger started on pole but Hamilton cleared his rival on the first lap. A record eighth title beckoned for Hamilton but a late safety car changed the course of history. The race director, Michael Masi, allowed all the lapped cars through, leaving Hamilton exposed to Verstappen on new tyres for one final lap. Verstappen blasted past Hamilton at the fifth corner to win the race and the title in one of F1’s most dramatic and controversial moments. Verstappen 395.5, Hamilton 387.5. PA Media
Abu Dhabi GP: the grid
1 Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2 Lando Norris (GB) McLaren
3 Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren
4 George Russell (GB) Mercedes
5 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari
6 Fernando Alonso (Sp) Aston Martin
7 Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra) Kick Sauber
8 Esteban Ocon (Fr) Haas
9 Isack Hadjar (Fr) RacingBulls
10 Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Red Bull
11 Oliver Bearman (GB) Haas
12 Carlos Sainz (Sp) Williams
13 Liam Lawson (NZ) RacingBulls
14 Kimi Antonelli (It) Mercedes
15 Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin
16 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Ferrari
17 Alexander Albon (Thai) Williams
18 Nico Hülkenberg (Ger) Kick Sauber
19 Pierre Gasly (Fr) Alpine
20 Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine
Title permutations
Let’s try and keep this simple. Lando Norris leads the title race by 12 points, and will be world champion if he finishes in the top three today, regardless of what his rivals do. If the Briton drops out of the podium places, Verstappen can take the title by winning the race from pole.
Piastri has to win the race and hope Norris ends up outside the top six; if the title-race leader crashes out, things get even more complicated. There are more detailed permutations here, and this nifty (if unofficial) tool lets you play out the possibilities.
Points on offer: Winner 25pts, second place 18pts, third place 15pts;
Fourth 12pts, 5th 10pts, 6th 8pts, 7th 6pts, 8th 4pts, 9th 2pts, 10th 1pt.
Qualifying report
Here’s how Max Verstappen claimed pole for today’s race, with Lando Norris edging out teammate Oscar Piastri for a place on the front row. George Russell, an entertaining cameo player in this season’s three-horse race, sits alongside Piastri in fourth.
Preamble
After 23 races and thousands of track miles, this season’s extraordinary title race will be settled today after year of twists, turns and drama across the globe. It’s the first three-way title finale in F1 since 2010 and however it plays out, it will surely be historic.
Lando Norris is in the box seat to claim his first world title, and McLaren’s first drivers’ championship since 2008. For most of the season, teammate Oscar Piastri looked like his only competition – but Max “Chucky” Verstappen has refused to surrender his title.
From more than 100 points behind Piastri, Verstappen has clawed his way back to second place, four points above the Australian and 12 behind Norris. McLaren look worn down by the pressure, their efforts to preserve a fair title race opening the door for Red Bull.
Verstappen starts on pole here in a classic champion v challenger showdown, chasing a fifth world title in a row. Norris joins him on the front row as he bids to fulfil his destiny, while long-time leader Piastri also has faint hope of snatching back the title.
In short, it’s on. The race begins at 1pm (GMT) but we’ll have all the permutations, build-up and season highlights right here.
