A quick reminder of who needs what at Yas Marina today:<\/p>\n
Lando Norris holds a 12-point lead and will be world champion if he finishes in the top three in today\u2019s finale.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen is in second place and starts on pole; he realistically has to win the race and hope Norris falls out of the podium spots.<\/p>\n
Oscar Piastri, is four points behind Verstappen; the Australian needs to win the race and for Norris to finish outside the top six.<\/p>\n
There are approximately a million other possibilities, to be perused here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lando Norris 408, Max Verstappen 396, Oscar Piastri 392.<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n No live chats with the drivers, with an official presentation due at 12.45pm (GMT). Brunds does duck past Gordon Ramsay and Terry Crews to get a quick word with Haas driver Ollie Bearman, who says it\u2019s windier than expected on the track today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sky\u2019s Martin Brundle is down at the starting grid, a heaving throng of celebrities, dignitaries and stressed out engineers. Brunds has already been snubbed by Ana de Armas, chatted to the crown prince of Bahrain and bustled into a coterie of sporting stars: Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Jannik Sinner. The tennis star is backing Lando Norris<\/a> to get the job done, but \u201cyou never know on a day like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Ronaldinho on the grid. Photograph: Jakub Porzycki\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.45 EST<\/p>\n Does Oscar Piastri<\/a> understand his role today? \u201cYes, I do know.\u201d And what if his own title ambitions? \u201cThere is still the belief, still the hope, but I need a few things to happen. It wouldn\u2019t be the first time in F1 history that things have happened. I\u2019ll try and make sure I\u2019m the right spot at the right time and go ahead and try to win the race. That\u2019s all I can do.<\/p>\n Oscar Piastri watches McLaren teammate Lando Norris give an interview. Photograph: Darko Bandi\u0107\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n A quick reminder of who needs what at Yas Marina today:<\/p>\n Lando Norris holds a 12-point lead and will be world champion if he finishes in the top three in today\u2019s finale.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen is in second place and starts on pole; he realistically has to win the race and hope Norris falls out of the podium spots.<\/p>\n Oscar Piastri, is four points behind Verstappen; the Australian needs to win the race and for Norris to finish outside the top six.<\/p>\n There are approximately a million other possibilities, to be perused here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lando Norris 408, Max Verstappen 396, Oscar Piastri 392.<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Throughout this season, McLaren have declined to back either Norris or Piastri as their main title contender, instead encouraging fair racing between the two drivers. It has made for some thrilling battles \u2013 but the fabled \u201cpapaya rules\u201d will be remembered as a colossal failure if Verstappen snatches the title for Red Bull<\/a> today.<\/p>\n Today could be different, with McLaren<\/a> chief Zak Brown confirming that team orders will come into play if required. \u201cWe\u2019re realistic, we want to win this drivers\u2019 championship. If we get into the race and it\u2019s becoming pretty clear one has a chance and the other doesn\u2019t, we\u2019re going to do what we can to win. It would be crazy not to.\u201d<\/p>\n Team principal Andrea Stella has backed that message today, telling Sky Sports: \u201cthe team comes first\u201d. I wonder how Piastri, the championship leader for so long, really feels about that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.22 EST<\/p>\n Max Verstappen starts on pole and the defending champion won\u2019t be holding back. \u201cAll out, I have nothing to lose,\u201d he said after qualifying. \u201cFor me, of course, I\u2019m going to try to win the race. I\u2019m going to defend. If I need to attack, I\u2019ll attack because what can happen? You\u2019re either second or third or you win. That would be fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n As for Norris, he\u2019ll be world champion as long as he finishes in the top three, regardless of what Verstappen does. \u201cI\u2019m not too bothered to be the hunter or the hunted,\u201d he said. \u201cTo be hunted is fine because you\u2019re the one with the advantage in the first place. That\u2019s good. And, of course, I would sign for that now. I\u2019m still going to go into tomorrow and plan for how we can win the race.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The season so far: part four<\/p>\n Tensions grow in the McLaren<\/a> paddock, and Norris emerges as the driver most likely to hold off Verstappen\u2019s late charge \u2026 before high drama in Vegas<\/p>\n Singapore: Title fight boils over A weekend of anger at Marina Bay, with Verstappen accusing Norris of impeding him in qualifying. Russell wins the race from pole but behind him, Norris\u2019 bold early move riles Piastri<\/a> to spoil McLaren\u2019s constructor title party.<\/p>\n United States: Max pressure Verstappen dominates in Texas<\/a> to move within 40 points of Piastri, who stumbles to fifth place. Norris wins a battle with Charles Leclerc for second place and moves 12 points behind his teammate in a three-way title race.<\/p>\n Back in the game? Max Verstappen wins in Texas to close the gap in the title race. Photograph: Eric Gay\/AP<\/p>\n Mexico City: Norris takes the lead For the first time since April, Piastri is off the top of the drivers\u2019 standings as Norris overtakes him by a point. The Briton wins from pole in Mexico<\/a> with Leclerc second, Verstappen third and the fading Piastri finishing fifth again.<\/p>\n S\u00e3o Paulo: Lando\u2019s title to lose? Norris wins from pole again<\/a> to open a 24-point lead over his teammate, who is fifth for the third race in succession. Verstappen grabs the headlines, though, with a charge from 19th on the grid to finish third behind Kimi Antonelli.<\/p>\n Lando Norris pulls away in the title race after victory in Brazil. Photograph: Lars Baron\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Las Vegas: McLaren\u2019s desert disaster Verstappen romps to victory in Vegas with Norris second and Piastri fourth; but after the chequered flag, both McLarens are disqualified<\/a> due to skid-block wear. Verstappen moves level with Piastri and 24 behind Norris in the title race.<\/p>\n Qatar: Norris title on ice Piastri takes the sprint race and pole position but Verstappen wins the race<\/a> after McLaren make a costly pit-stop error. Piastri is second but Norris can only finish fourth, failing to seal the drivers\u2019 title but holding a 12-point lead before the final race.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Roll of honour<\/p>\n A first world title for Lando Norris<\/a> would break the eight-year run of Hamilton\/Verstappen titles, and deliver McLaren\u2019s first drivers\u2019 crown since 2008, when Norris was nine years old. He would also become the 11th British F1 world champion.<\/p>\n If Verstappen wins, he will be the first man to win five titles in a row since the great Michael Schumacher \u2013 and move joint-second alongside Juan Manuel Fangio in the all-time standings, behind only Hamilton and Schumacher.<\/p>\n As for Oscar Piastri<\/a>, he is bidding to become the third F1 world champion from Australia \u2013 and the first since Alan Jones in 1980. Either he or Norris would also be among the 10 youngest world champions \u2013 a list topped by 23-year-old Sebastian Vettel in 2010.<\/p>\n World champions since 2000: Share<\/a>The season so far: part three<\/p>\n Christian Horner leaves Red Bull<\/a> and while the title looks to be Piastri\u2019s to lose, a Verstappen double gives the defending champion hope \u2026<\/p>\n Belgium: A new era at Red Bull In the first race after Christian Horner\u2019s departure, Verstappen cannot match the McLarens in a rain-delayed showdown at Spa. Piastri overtakes pole-sitter Norris early on<\/a> and cruises to his sixth victory of the season.<\/p>\n Hungary: A two-horse title race? In the last race before the mid-season break, a one-stop strategy pays off for Norris, who holds off Piastri in a late battle. Piastri leads the title race by nine points; Verstappen finishes ninth and drops 97 points behind.<\/p>\n Netherlands: Lando\u2019s body blow Chasing pole-sitter Piastri for the race win, Norris is denied by a rare malfunction<\/a> that hands his teammate a huge boost in the title battle. Verstappen is second in front of his home faithful, while Hamilton also crashes out.<\/p>\n Piastri, Norris and Verstappen on the track during what seemed a pivotal race at Zandvoort. Photograph: Mark Sutton\/Formula 1\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Italy: Tension at McLaren Verstappen\u2019s third GP win of the season<\/a> \u2013 and second in Italy \u2013 is almost an afterthought at Monza. Piastri has to surrender second to Norris after a pit-stop calamity, putting intense focus on McLaren\u2019s management of the title race.<\/p>\n Azerbaijan: Baku in the race? Verstappen claims a clinical pole in a windswept, red-flag hit qualifying session, and wins the main race<\/a> after a rare Piastri error. With his teammate out on the first lap, Norris cannot take advantage as he struggles to seventh place.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n While you\u2019re here, why not sign up for The Recap \u2013 our weekly newsletter packed with the Guardian\u2019s best sport features, delivered every Sunday? And if sporting photography is your thing, our new Sport in Focus email is essential viewing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The season so far: part two<\/p>\n The summer swing through Europe (and Canada) saw McLaren<\/a> in dominant form \u2026<\/p>\n Emila Romagna: Roles reversed at Imola Piastri starts on pole but Verstappen finds a moment of magic to overtake on the first lap and claim a crucial victory in the first European race of the season<\/a>. Norris is second, Piastri third and Hamilton fourth.<\/p>\n Monaco: Norris cleans up Seeking his first race win since the opening weekend, Lando Norris claims pole in Monaco and holds off Charles Leclerc<\/a> for his first grand prix win on the famous street circuit \u2013 and trails Piastri by just three points in the title race.<\/p>\n Spain: Verstappen loses his cool Piastri leads a McLaren one-two from pole and frustration gets the better of Verstappen<\/a>. The Dutchman clatters into George Russell\u2019s Mercedes late in the race and is hit with a penalty that leaves him in 10th place.<\/p>\n It was a day of huge frustration for Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix. Photograph: Federico Basile\/IPA Sport\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n Canada: Russell wins, McLarens collide Russell holds off Verstappen to win from pole and gain revenge for Barcelona, while Norris takes responsibility for a late collision with Piastri that ends the Briton\u2019s race. Kimi Antonelli completes a papaya-free podium.<\/p>\n Austria: Red Bull\u2019s home discomfort A rough weekend for Verstappen, who labels his car \u2018undriveable\u2019 after qualifying, then crashes out on the first lap. Norris wins from pole<\/a> but is pushed to the limit by Piastri, who apologises for a risky attempted overtake at turn four.<\/p>\n Britain: Mixed emotions for McLarens Norris savours his first home F1 victory<\/a> but Piastri is left furious after a 10-second penalty for braking in front of Verstappen. The champion starts on pole but ends up fifth; hopes of retaining his title look bleak at the halfway mark.<\/p>\n Lando Norris celebrates his first British GP victory with fans at Silverstone. Photograph: Mark Sutton\/Formula 1\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI remember the first year when Verstappen won, a lot of anger was aimed at him \u2013 including BTL here,\u201d writes Simone Kamp. The gist was that his car was the reason he had won and that he was arrogant. I hope people now have a better idea of who he is and of his qualities as a driver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs for today, he can only win really, he has nothing to lose; while Norris has everything to lose and is, at times, his own worst enemy. May the best man win.\u201d<\/p>\n Max Verstappen checks in on Lando Norris during this morning\u2019s photo call. Photograph: Antonin Vincent\/DPPI\/ShutterstockShare<\/a>The 2025 season so far: part one<\/p>\n Each of the three title contenders have won seven grands prix so far in an enthralling season. Here\u2019s how it all unfolded, starting at Albert Park in March.<\/p>\n Australia: Norris strikes first McLaren live up to their pre-season billing with a dominant performance in Melbourne<\/a> as Lando Norris storms to victory in the rain. Teammate Oscar Piastri pushes him all the way before spinning late on, finishing ninth in his hometown race.<\/p>\n China: Piastri on the board Lewis Hamilton wins the sprint race in Shanghai, but the weekend ends with both Ferraris disqualified after the main event. Piastri wins from pole with Norris second<\/a>, setting up a potential title race between the two flying McLarens.<\/p>\n McLaren CEO Zak Brown (centre) with Oscar Piastri (right) and Lando Norris after their 1-2 in Shanghai. Photograph: Bryn Lennon\/Formula 1\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Japan: Verstappen hits back With his Red Bull future still uncertain, defending champion Max Verstappen wins his fourth straight race at Suzuka<\/a> from pole. Running in third behind Norris, Piastri\u2019s request to overtake his teammate and challenge Verstappen is denied.<\/p>\n Bahrain: Oscar\u2019s winning performance Piastri delivers another nerveless victory<\/a> from pole at Sakhir, with Mercedes\u2019 George Russell in second. In a scrappy race behind them, Norris is third with Verstappen toiling in sixth place.<\/p>\n Saudi Arabia: Norris under threat After a crash in qualifying, Norris can only finish fourth in Jeddah while his Australian teammate claims a third victory in five races<\/a>. Piastri takes the lead in the title race after denying pole-sitter Verstappen, who suffers an early penalty.<\/p>\n Miami: Piastri takes charge Again, Verstappen starts on pole but is usurped by the dominant Piastri, who opens a 32-point lead over the champion<\/a>. Norris is hampered by an early clash with Verstappen but ends up second as McLaren outpace their rivals.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri battle for track position in Miami. Photograph: H\u00e9ctor Vivas\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Dave Estherby points out another potential title pathway: \u201cVerstappen can also become world champion by ramming Norris off the road.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As mentioned below, Lewis Hamilton has been involved in his fair share of big F1 finales, but the seven-times world champion could scarcely be further from the title battle today. Hamilton ends a hugely disappointing first campaign with Ferrari 16th on the grid, after a third straight elimination in the first round of qualifying.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have the words to describe the feeling that I have inside,\u201d said Hamilton on Saturday. \u201cAn unbearable amount of anger and rage. There is not really much I can say about it.\u201d The Briton\u2019s latest setback in qualifying came after he crashed out of final practice, finishing 11 places behind teammate Charles Leclerc despite quick repairs.<\/p>\n Hamilton has not made the podium this season and has been out-qualified by Leclerc 19 times out of 24. Asked if he had an action plan in place to improve his dire run, he said: \u201cNot at the moment, no. I don\u2019t have any plans for anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton arrives at Yas Marina Circuit. Photograph: Ali Haider\/EPAShare<\/a>F1’s recent final-day title battles<\/p>\n 2007: R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen wins three-way race 2008: Hamilton\u2019s redemption in Brazil 2010: Vettel snatches the crown 2012: More heartbreak for Alonso Sebastian Vettel celebrates a dramatic title victory in 2012, denying Fernando Alonso for a second time. Photograph: Paul Gilham\/Getty Images<\/p>\n 2014: Hamilton\u2019s double delight 2016: Rosberg\u2019s revenge 2021: Verstappen\u2019s first title Share<\/a>Abu Dhabi GP: the grid<\/p>\n 1 Max Verstappen<\/a> (Neth) Red Bull Share<\/a>Title permutations<\/p>\n Let\u2019s try and keep this simple. Lando Norris leads the title race by 12 points, and will be world champion if he finishes in the top three today, regardless of what his rivals do. If the Briton drops out of the podium places, Verstappen can take the title by winning the race from pole.<\/p>\n Piastri has to win the race and hope Norris ends up outside the top six; if the title-race leader crashes out, things get even more complicated. There are more detailed permutations here<\/a>, and this nifty (if unofficial) tool<\/a> lets you play out the possibilities.<\/p>\n Points on offer: Winner 25pts, second place 18pts, third place 15pts; Lando Norris 408, Max Verstappen 396, Oscar Piastri 392.<\/a>Share<\/a>Qualifying report<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how Max Verstappen<\/a> claimed pole for today\u2019s race, with Lando Norris edging out teammate Oscar Piastri for a place on the front row. George Russell, an entertaining cameo player in this season\u2019s three-horse race, sits alongside Piastri in fourth.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n After 23 races and thousands of track miles, this season\u2019s extraordinary title race will be settled today after year of twists, turns and drama across the globe. It\u2019s the first three-way title finale in F1 since 2010 and however it plays out, it will surely be historic.<\/p>\n Lando Norris is in the box seat to claim his first world title, and McLaren\u2019s first drivers\u2019 championship since 2008. For most of the season, teammate Oscar Piastri<\/a> looked like his only competition \u2013 but Max \u201cChucky\u201d Verstappen has refused to surrender his title.<\/p>\n From more than 100 points behind Piastri, Verstappen has clawed his way back to second place, four points above the Australian and 12 behind Norris. McLaren look worn down by the pressure, their efforts to preserve a fair title race opening the door for Red Bull<\/a>.<\/p>\n
2000: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2003: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2004: Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari
2005: Fernando Alonso (Sp) Renault
2006: Fernando Alonso (Sp) Renault
2007: Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen (Fin) Ferrari
2008: Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren
2009: Jenson Button (GB) Brawn
2010: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2011: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2012: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull
2014: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2019: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2020: Lewis Hamilton (GB) Mercedes
2021: Max Verstappen<\/a> (Neth) Red Bull
2022: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2023: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull
2024: Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull<\/p>\n
Despite ending up beached on his way to the pits at the previous race in China, rookie Lewis Hamilton arrived in Brazil with a four-point lead over McLaren<\/a> teammate Fernando Alonso, and seven clear of Ferrari\u2019s Kimi R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen. A gearbox glitch put Hamilton in deep trouble at Interlagos, and while he recovered to finish seventh, R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen won the race and the title by a point with Alonso third in S\u00e3o Paulo.
Final standings: R\u00e4ikk\u00f6nen 110, Hamilton 109, Alonso 109.<\/p>\n
Hamilton was on the brink of failure at Interlagos for a second consecutive year when championship rival Felipe Massa won for Ferrari. But, in rain-hit conditions, Hamilton passed Toyota\u2019s Timo Glock at the final corner to finish fifth, beating Massa to the title by a single point. The Brazilian continues to pursue legal action over missing out on the title due to the \u2018Crashgate\u2019 controversy at the Singapore GP. Hamilton 98, Massa 97.<\/p>\n
Now at Ferrari, Alonso headed to Abu Dhabi eight points ahead of Red Bull\u2019s Mark Webber. The Australian\u2019s teammate, Sebastian Vettel, was a rank outsider, 15 points off the pace. But Vettel won from pole position, and Ferrari\u2019s calamitous strategy left Alonso stuck in seventh when the chequered flag fell. Webber finished eighth and Vettel began a streak of four consecutive world titles. Vettel 256, Alonso 252, Webber 242.<\/p>\n
Vettel\u2019s hopes of a third straight title appeared all but over after an early tangle with Bruno Senna in Brazil, with Alonso poised to claim his third championship. The German fought back from last place to finish sixth in a rollercoaster race<\/a>. Alonso finished second behind Jenson Button, missing out on the title by three points. Vettel 281, Alonso 278.<\/p>\n
Double points were awarded for the first and only time at the season\u2019s final race in Abu Dhabi as Hamilton and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg fought for glory. Rosberg took pole but the Briton got ahead at the first bend and romped to glory. Rosberg then suffered engine problems and ended the race in 14th place. Hamilton 384, Rosberg 317.<\/p>\n
The Mercedes men battled it out again two years later at Yas Marina, but this time the German held the upper hand. Hamilton had to win and hope Rosberg finished fourth or lower; he controlled the race but Rosberg stayed clear of the pack and crossed the line in second to take the title \u2013 before retiring five days later. Rosberg 385, Hamilton 380.<\/p>\n
In a winner-takes-all shootout between Hamilton and Max Verstappen<\/a>, who started level on points, the challenger started on pole but Hamilton cleared his rival on the first lap. A record eighth title beckoned for Hamilton but a late safety car changed the course of history. The race director, Michael Masi, allowed all the lapped cars through, leaving Hamilton exposed to Verstappen on new tyres for one final lap. Verstappen blasted past Hamilton at the fifth corner to win the race and the title in one of F1\u2019s most dramatic and controversial moments. Verstappen 395.5, Hamilton 387.5. PA Media<\/p>\n
2 Lando Norris (GB) McLaren
3 Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren
4 George Russell (GB) Mercedes
5 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari
6 Fernando Alonso (Sp) Aston Martin
7 Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra) Kick Sauber
8 Esteban Ocon (Fr) Haas
9 Isack Hadjar (Fr) RacingBulls
10 Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Red Bull
11 Oliver Bearman (GB) Haas
12 Carlos Sainz (Sp) Williams
13 Liam Lawson (NZ) RacingBulls
14 Kimi Antonelli (It) Mercedes
15 Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin
16 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Ferrari
17 Alexander Albon (Thai) Williams
18 Nico H\u00fclkenberg (Ger) Kick Sauber
19 Pierre Gasly (Fr) Alpine
20 Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine<\/p>\n
Fourth 12pts, 5th 10pts, 6th 8pts, 7th 6pts, 8th 4pts, 9th 2pts, 10th 1pt.<\/p>\n