The 2025 Formula 1 season is coming to a close this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit, and the atmosphere at McLaren is one of total focus, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri remain in contention for the Drivers’ Championship, which remains wide open after the turbulent Qatar Grand Prix, marked by a strategic error by the team.
In Lusail, Piastri won the sprint and reduced the gap to Norris, but the main race changed everything: a Safety Car on lap 7 favored Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, who made the perfect pit stop and won, while McLaren missed the chance to consolidate their championship lead. Norris finished only fourth, and Piastri, despite finishing second, was unable to prevent Verstappen from re-entering the fray. The Dutchman took the vice-leadership of the standings and is 12 points behind Norris.
With the spotlight on him, Norris is trying to keep his focus: “The final race, Abu Dhabi. I’m excited. Last year, we had the Constructors’ Championship to fight for, and this year, we come as Champions, with another important Championship to win. It’s incredible to see how much we’ve achieved. It’s been an incredible season. We have an incredible car. I’m proud of everyone on the team. Thank you to all our fans. We have one more race and we’ll give it our all.”
Meanwhile, Piastri arrives at the decision feeling like he can turn the game around: “Qatar was one of my strongest weekends in F1. The goal for Abu Dhabi is to repeat that and do everything I can to win the race. I’ll give it my all and make sure I don’t leave any points on the table in this final race,” said the Australian.
With Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen separated by just a few points, and with McLaren trying to complete a feat that hasn’t happened since 1998 – winning the Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles in the same year – the Abu Dhabi stage promises to be intense. The event takes place between November 5th and 7th.
