Formula 1 2025 finale: All eyes on Abu Dhabi as Piastri looks to make history

10 hours ago 3

Key posts

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Oscar’s path to the title

With just one race left and with a 16-point deficit to his own teammate who leads the title race, to say Oscar Piastri is up against it tonight is the mother of all understatements. We know that.

But yes, we’re saying there’s a chance.

You only need to go back to last year’s race at the very same track to see what can happen at turn one at Yas Marina. It can change everything, and did on that night as Piastri, who started from second, collided with a rampant Max Verstappen. Norris kept his nose clean and powered to victory, while Verstappen finished sixth and Piastri 10th.

11.28pm

The expected strategy

Bernadette Collins, Sky’s resident strategy guru and a former engineer and strategy boss at McLaren and Aston Martin, expects tonight to be a one-stop race.

Therefore, these are the two most likely scenarios:

Starting on the medium tyres and switching to the hard
Starting on the hard tyres, and switching to the softs for a sprint finish

Of course, this could all be thrown out the window come race start at midnight AEDT, and probably will be. Ah, the magic of F1.

11.23pm

The latest mail

Ted Kravitz, Sky F1’s pit-lane guru, has spoken to McLaren pre-race, and what he’s taken from those conversations is, simply, “team-first”.

That’s no surprise, but what does it mean for Oscar Piastri?

In simple terms, if he doesn’t get a blinding start, or if Lando Norris doesn’t suffer a catastrophe, look for him to fall into line and potentially play a role in keeping Max Verstappen at bay for Norris to win the title.

It’s brutal, but the reality.

11.09pm

Team orders: The mistakes that could still cost McLaren the title

By Billie Eder

“We didn’t get it right.” Those were McLaren team principal Andrea Stella’s words following the Qatar Grand Prix.

You can say that again.

The penultimate race was McLaren’s for the taking after Oscar Piastri started at the front of the grid following a dominant weekend that included claiming pole and winning the sprint race.

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

But McLaren bungled their pit strategy, Max Verstappen won the race, and McLaren have themselves to blame as Lando Norris fights to keep his 12-point lead over Verstappen, and Piastri attempts to salvage at least second place in the championship at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

Read the full story here

11.08pm

How they’re looking ahead of their date with destiny

11.04pm

Have your say

10.56pm

The question we’re all asking: Did McLaren favour Norris over Piastri?

It’s been the question on everyone’s lips all season – have the British McLaren really been favouring their British driver Lando Norris over Australian ace Oscar Piastri (who has led the standings for longer than any other racer this campaign), or has it just been the perception?

Surely we can rely on the… checks notes... British Sky Sports F1 coverage for an accurate answer.

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Former racer Martin Brundle: “I think this is what’s paining McLaren at the moment – with the disqualification in Vegas, and the pit-stop misjudgment in Qatar, they should be here [in Abu Dhabi] celebrating with a world champion already, and they know that. They’re under huge pressure at McLaren to make sure they put that right today.

“Remember, he’s [Lando has] been there since 2017 when McLaren were last and nowhere. He was like, ‘I’m staying here – I believe in this team’, so I think he’s got some currency from that. I think the team have tried to be super, super fair – almost put an engineering solution to a human issue – and they’ve tripped over themselves quite a few times this year doing that. They’ve got two bulls in one field, and they want to run it like that. That’s why they’ve got 800 points in the constructors’ championship and their nearest rival is late 400 points. Something’s working, but whatever they’ve done, the perception, which is more important than reality probably, is that they favour Lando.”

Former world champion Nico Rosberg: “I’ll agree with Martin. Lando, at the moment, is the most popular driver in the sport, and I think internally, also, he’ll be very popular. That is one side, but I think factually, then, I believe McLaren really tries to treat their drivers absolutely equally and give them both the best possibilities… it’s just that McLaren didn’t get it quite right at times and that didn’t look too good from the outside.”

You can say that again, Nico.

10.35pm

What Norris, Verstappen and Piastri said ahead of the race

Max Verstappen (qualified on pole)

“The big question mark is going to be: Can we keep it up in the race? … we tried to prepare in the best way possible. It’s probably the best I have felt, but of course let’s see if that’s good enough.

“Of course I’m excited – I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to try to win that race, but of course with that I still need a little bit of help or luck to win the championship.”

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are all fighting for the title in the 2025 season finale.

Lando Norris (2nd)

“I’m excited – it’s a big moment for all of us [Verstappen, Piastri and himself], and this guy here [Verstappen] has done it many times before, but this is what we’ve been waiting for our whole lives, so [I’m] excited, [I’m] enjoying it, and [I’m] ready to go.

“There’s no point trying to guess too many things… just wait and see [what will happen at the start of the grand prix].”

Oscar Piastri (3rd)

“Funny things can happen… that’s what I’ve learnt [in winning championships throughout his career to date].

“Turn one [of lap one] I don’t know [what will happen], but I’ll have some [popcorn] on standby.

“There’s still the belief, still the hope. Obviously I need a few things to happen [to win the title] but it wouldn’t be the first time in F1 history that things have happened, so I’ll try and make sure I put myself in the right spot at the right time, and go out and try and win the race. That’s all I can do.”

On if he knows the strategy during the race, and whether it’ll mean supporting Norris, or fighting for his own race
“Yes, I do know.”

Will you tell us?
“No.”

10.34pm

Piastri’s place in Australian F1 history

10.25pm

Oscar’s path to the title

With just one race left and with a 16-point deficit to his own teammate who leads the title race, to say Oscar Piastri is up against it tonight is the mother of all understatements. We know that.

But yes, we’re saying there’s a chance.

10.24pm