2025 F1 Abu Dhabi GP Race: As it happened - Lando Norris wins the 2025 F1 World Championship

Amid all the drama of the F1 title showdown, it's easy to forget this is the final race for the current generation of power units before sweeping changes are introduced in 2026.

While the 1.6-litre V6 base is unchanged, we say goodbye to the MGU-H, while MGU-K get a big hike in power output. That should stop the massive gulf in performance and reliability that afflicted the teams when the regs were introduced back in 2014 and led to a sustained period of Mercedes ultra-dominance.

This will also be the final outing for DRS, to be replaced with a manual override engine mode.

Of the three drivers here, for Lando Norris it would mark a most poignant of title wins, not just for him but for McLaren.

From McLaren development driver to spearheading the team out of the doldrums of its failed Honda era, Norris has completed all of his 151 races in F1 with McLaren and now he stands on the cusp of the biggest prize of all

If he (or Piastri) wins, it will be McLaren's first F1 drivers' title since 2008 and its first under Zak Brown's leadership.

If by some quirk any drivers come out equal on points, then the title will be decided on count-back.

Fittingly, each driver comes into this race with seven victories each, so if one of them wins to bring them level with another rival, it will be the Abu Dhabi GP winner that takes home the title by virtue of having eight wins.

The fact Piastri hasn't won since August in the Netherlands but still equals Verstappen and Norris for wins is quite the testament to how his season has faltered

It's a fairly easy equation for Lando Norris today - podium or nothing, if Verstappen wins.

Such a premise will be on his mind - Verstappen is known for getting aggressive at the start when he needs to, so there will be a temptation to let the Dutchman escape and leave Norris to concentrate on what he needs.

And if - and it's a big if - they go all Senna/Prost into Turn 1, both will be aware that Piastri is there to come in and mug both of the big points.

Much will depend on how they shake out at the start, not least because Abu Dhabi isn't known for its super-close racing. 

Barring drama, this is well within Norris' grasp based on pure pace alone. But given his COTA clash with Piastri, his Vegas DQ and Qatar strategy slip up shows, there is still plenty that could go wrong in this high stakes, high tension scenario

The momentum has been with Verstappen in recent rounds, pulling out top results as the Red Bull in his hands has stealthily eroded McLaren's once comfortable pace advantage.

There has been no doubting his class in recent races, but he still needs a dash of luck to make it five world titles on the trot.

If he wins - which he is well placed to from pole position - he will need Norris to finish fourth or lower, a task that will be made harder if Norris holds position from the start in second and he has Piastri to protect him in third 

Of the three drivers, Piastri has the longest shot at title glory.

An indifferent end to the season and win-less drought that stretches back to Zandvoort has wilted his campaign. Indeed, it won't have escaped his notice that his margin following that  Dutch win stood at 34 points over Norris and a massive 104 points over Verstappen - but he comes into this finale behind both.

Ultimately, he will need a double four-leaf clover to dismiss Norris and Verstappen from the running, but if not, even if he wins he needs Norris no higher than sixth.

If he finishes second, Norris needs to be on the edge of the points in tenth with Verstappen no higher than fourth.

First, a quick reminder of how the points stack up going into this race:

1- Lando Norris - 408 points

2- Max Verstappen - 396 points (+12)

3- Oscar Piastri - 392 points (+16)

We've had twists, we've had turns, we've had controversy, we've had it all in 2025

It took 23 events to get us to this point, but right now all that matters is the 24th and final one in the United Arab Emirates

Three drivers going for one title - one esteemed multiple champion in Max Verstappen, two potential first-time winners in Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri