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How Oscar Piastri can become F1 world champion
SEN • December 4th, 2025 2:25 pm
It's not over until Lando Norris crosses the line with a podium finish in Abu Dhabi.
That is if the British driver can produce better than he did in Qatar last week and, moreover, if the team can get their strategy right after a double DQ in Las Vegas and a disastrous call not to pit under safety car last weekend.
Here's what each of the three drivers still mathematically in contention to be crowned F1 world champion this weekend must do at the season finale.
LANDO NORRIS:
Simple: must finish on the podium and he is world champion. it doesn't matter what the other two drivers do.
MAX VERSTAPPEN:
Must be on the podium to have any kind of a chance, and let's not forget he is chasing a fifth consecutive crown here. That will see him equal Michael Schumacher. Incredible.
- If Verstappen wins, he needs Norris 4th or lower and Piastri's result will not matter.
- If Verstappen is second he needs Norris 8th or lower and 3rd or worse.
- If Verstappen is third he needs Norris 9th or lower and Piastri 2nd or worse.
OSCAR PIASTRI:
The Australian has to finish in the top two.
- If Piastri wins the race, Norris needs to be 6th or lower, Verstappen's result won't matter
- If Piastri is second he needs Norris to be 10th and Verstappen 4th or worse
What if two or more drivers are tied on points?
Then it all comes down to number of race won this season which is fun because they have all won seven apiece.
Then we go to second places which is where Norris leads the others on eight with Verstappen currently on five and Piastri on four.
The Abu Dhabi race starts at midnight AEDT Sunday December 7, 11pm QLD, 11:30pm SA, 9pm WA
