The championship battle in Formula 1 heads to a nail-biting finale after an eventful 2025 Qatar Grand Prix shook up the standings dramatically. Max Verstappen seized victory — exploiting a crucial strategic error by McLaren — ensuring the title remains undecided going into the final race of the season. Reuters+2Wikipedia+2
What Happened
Starting from pole, Oscar Piastri had it all going for him. But when an early safety-car period hit, McLaren opted not to pit either Piastri or his teammate Lando Norris — a call which backfired badly. Everyone else pitted, giving Verstappen a free stop that vaulted him ahead and allowed him to control the remainder of the race. Reuters+2AP News+2
Despite Piastri finishing second, and Carlos Sainz Jr. claiming a surprise third for Williams, Norris crossed the line in fourth — enough to preserve his lead, but by a bare margin. Wikipedia+2Reuters+2
Championship Stakes: All to Play For in Abu Dhabi
Following Qatar, the top three in the standings are separated by mere points. Norris leads, with Verstappen just 12 behind and Piastri 16 back — meaning any of them could still clinch the drivers’ title at the season-ending 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Wikipedia+2Reuters+2
McLaren’s gamble to treat both drivers equally has stirred controversy — many argue the team lost its best chance to wrap up the title cleanly. As a result, the final race promises to be among the most intense in recent memory.