The final race of the Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will determine this year’s world champion. The stakes are high as three drivers—Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri—battle for the title. The excitement reaches its peak this Sunday, promising an exhilarating spectacle for fans worldwide.
In a decisive qualifying round held yesterday, Verstappen secured pole position with a time of 1:22.207, outpacing his closest competitors, Norris and Piastri. Following the top three were drivers including George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sebastian Ocon, Isak Hajar, and Yuki Tsunoda. Notably, Lewis Hamilton and Alex Albon struggled in Q1, while Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli were eliminated in Q2.
The scenario unfolding in Abu Dhabi harkens back to 2010, when the title was fiercely contested among Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber, and Fernando Alonso. On that occasion, Vettel emerged victorious, claiming his first championship with Red Bull Racing. As the team gears up for this weekend, Verstappen is keen to add a fifth consecutive title to his name, a feat that would tie him with the legendary Michael Schumacher.
For Verstappen to clinch the title, he must secure victory in the race while ensuring that Norris finishes below third place, as the British driver currently holds a slim lead of just 12 points. Norris, on the other hand, has a straightforward path to the championship; he does not need to win but must finish in the top three to become the world champion for the first time.
Piastri’s situation is more complex. The Australian driver led the standings for much of the season, but an unexpected decline has left him in third place, trailing Norris by 16 points and Verstappen by four points. For Piastri to emerge as champion, he needs to win the race and hope that Norris finishes below sixth place. In that scenario, even if Verstappen finishes second, the title would go to the Australian.
As the clock ticks down to the race, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to start at 14:00 local time, with fans eager to see which driver will ultimately claim the coveted championship trophy. With various possible outcomes in play, the final race of the season could reshape the future of Formula 1 for years to come.
