Max Verstappen's late lunge has meant the Formula 1 2025 title race is going down to the final race with three drivers fighting for the crown for the first time since 2010. Verstappen is now 12 points adrift of the leader,

Max Verstappen joined girlfriend Kelly Piquet in her birthday celebrations after the F1 season concluded with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver won the Abu Dhabi race and finished second in the F1 World Championship.

Lando Norris's championship win means Max Verstappen must give up the No. 1 in 2026. But how do Formula 1 drivers get their numbers in the first place?

Verstappen sits 12 points adrift of Norris heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi, after winning the Qatar Grand Prix. If Verstappen, 28, wins the race and Norris finishes off the podium, he’ll tie Michael Schumacher’s record for five consecutive world championships. And complete one of the biggest comebacks in F1 history.

A look at the updated F1 Drivers’ Championship standings after Max Verstappen’s Qatar Grand Prix victory, as well as title permutations for the final race

Max Verstappen has made a remarkable return to Formula 1 this season, and with the opportunity to reclaim the World Championship title, his performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend will be absolutely critical.

Max Verstappen will start the Abu Dhabi GP from the pole after securing the top spot in the qualifying at the Yas Marina Circuit on Saturday. Verstappen still has a chance to win his fifth consecutive F1 title.

Juan Pablo Montoya believes that Red Bull have ‘zero chance’ to fight for the 2026 F1 World Championships, and that this was a key factor in their late-season development in 2025.