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The 2025 Abu Dhabi GP: Every Possible Championship Outcome (And the Chaos We Deserve)

We've made it to the final stop of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The home of title deciders, emotional breakdowns, and at least 6 (or 7) memes that will define F1 Twitter for the rest of time.


And this time?

We have a three-way title fight on our hands.

Lando Norris. Max Verstappen. Oscar Piastri.

Three drivers, one trophy, zero chill.


Depending on how Yas Marina delivers (she does love the drama), the 2025 title could be anyone's. Here's every scenario that could shake down on Sunday.


If Lando Norris Wins It (The Papaya Era)

Lando Norris post Qatar GP strategy blunders.
Lando Norris post Qatar GP strategy blunders. Courtesy of Formula1.com

How it happens:

  • If Lando wins the race, he's guaranteed the title.

  • If he finishes ahead of Oscar and ahead of Max by any decent margin, it's his.

  • If McLaren remembers that you can, in fact, pit under a safety car, well, his odds skyrocket (and maybe make sure plank wear is okay too).


This is the "finally" arc.

Lando has been the bridesmaid in so many storylines: close calls, heartbreaks, strategy sabotage, but this season, he became him. The McLaren domination + late-season composure make this his most complete title campaign ever.


If Oscar Piastri Steals It (The Quiet Assassin Ending)

Piastri, in the post-race press conference lamenting on the Qatar strategy issues.
Piastri, in the post-race press conference lamenting on the Qatar strategy issues. Courtesy of Formula1.com

How it happens

  • He beats Lando on track by ... a lot AND keeps Max way behind

  • Lando's race gets messy

  • He pulls off an Abu Dhabi masterclass ... aka a complete 180 of last year


His whole brand is "deadly but polite".

He never really yells, doesn't chest thump, he just executes. If he wins the title in his third season, he becomes one of the quickest rises to the top that F1 has ever seen since THE goats (LH44 & MV1)


If Max Pulls a Max Verstappen (The Villain's Redemption) (He did tell Zak Brown to Call Him Chucky)

Max on the Qatar podium. The victory that only puts him 12 points off the WDC lead.
Max on the Qatar podium. The victory that only puts him 12 points off the WDC lead. Courtesy of Formula1.com

How it happens

  • Max wins the race, AND Lando finishes P4 or lower, and as an added bonus, the papaya boys focus more on each other and not him

  • OR chaos happens in turn 1 (see Abu Dhabi 2024)

  • OR it randomly rains in the desert because sure, why not


They counted him out in the middle of the season.

He said, "Oh, okay".

And then he started pulling 16-place comebacks, podiums from nowhere, and drives that no normal human should be able to do.


If Max wins his fifth after the rough start to the season he had? That's villainous and inspirational. (I wonder what Zak Brown will refer to him as next?)


Who Should Win vs. Who Will Win

In a few days, one of them will be the 2025 WDC
In a few days, one of them will be the 2025 WDC. Courtesy of Formula1.com

Lando: pretty consistent, strong car, big lead, a favorite

Oscar: smart operator, clean racing lines, a silent threat

Max: chaos extraordinaire, statistical monster, the dark horse with teeth


This isn't a normal finale. This is F1's version of the Reputation tour. Boosted production, huge emotions, and an ending that'll break the hearts of at least one fanbase.


Conclusion: Abu Dhabi is About to Change Everything

No matter who wins, this finale closes off an era while simultaneously defining a new one.

Papaya Dynasty, McLaren Civil War, or RedBull's Phoenix Arc. The 2025 championship is going to blow up, and we're all just along for the ride.


Edited by Ashley Holloman



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