Norris, Verstappen And Piastri In The Battle For The 2025 F1 Title

Two races remain on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar and 58 points are up for grabs. Three drivers stand for the ultimate crown. For everyone else, the race is far from over. Every last point matters to help their teams secure their place in the constructors’ standings and the big cash prize that comes with it. This is the stage in the season where pressure thickens, where drivers who had the momentum before feel the walls closing in. With Qatar and Abu Dhabi closing out the calendar, teams are navigating two very different circuits and the margin for miscalculation has evaporated.

Which Drivers Are Still In The Title Fight?

Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen remain the three contenders with a mathematical shot at the 2025 crown.

After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, both McLarens were disqualified for a technical breach, a ruling that couldn’t have landed at a more volatile moment in the season. The disqualification swung the standings in favor of Verstappen, who had been lurking just behind McLaren all year, is now level on points with Piastri as the final two races approach.

The irony is hard to miss. Early in the season, Piastri looked measured under pressure, his pace strong in his MCL39. Norris, by contrast, seemed always a bit behind, piecing together scrappy Sundays. But as the season progressed, Piastri’s momentum faded. Mistakes crept in, his qualifying pace plateaued, and Norris began stitching together more complete weekends.

Red Bull, meanwhile, spent the beginning of their season wrestling with a car that appeared unpredictable. Yet even then, Verstappen limited the damage. He stayed in range and waited for the tide to turn. It eventually did. Once Red Bull introduced its late-season upgrade package, Verstappen began maximizing and back into genuine title contention.

How Driver Strategies Shift Across Different Circuits

The performance trend is clear. Verstappen’s late-season form is suggesting an upward swing. As past seasons have proven, if he is within a whiff of winning a title, he will take those chances. Norris is more consistent and more collected. Apart from missing the braking point of turn 1 on the opening lap of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he managed the race well. Piastri must reconnect with the pace he had early-season.

Up next is the Qatar Grand Prix. Teams will need to make at least two pit stops for safety due to the high tyre degradation characteristics of the track. The Lusail International Circuit has many high and medium speed corners which means tyre conservation is a priority. It is also a sprint weekend which means there will be two separate occasions to score points. Oscar Piastri won the sprint last year while Max Verstappen took the big points haul after he won the race.

Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, presents a different question. It is more about long straights and a high demand on brakes while still carrying lateral load. Norris claimed victory here last season, and his form heading into the finale remains stronger than Piastri’s.

Variables at Play

There is one variable that may cause some problems for the papaya outfit. McLaren’s recent disqualification was linked to excessively low ride height. If the team raises the car to avoid further scrutiny, they could risk losing performance.

The Final Stretch

As we approach the final two races, it is important to remember that the human factor becomes just as influential as machinery. Driver feedback grows more crucial to figure out the optimal set up and teams rely on communication. At this stage in the season, the smallest misread can sink a weekend.

Norris is still the favorite, 24 points clear of both Piastri and Verstappen. The Dutchman, however, is closing fast with momentum that feels eerily familiar. Two very different circuits, 58 points on the table and three drivers who believe the title should be theirs.

The patterns of the season have brought the three here. What happens next will define the one who stands at the top.

Current Drivers’ Standings