Max Verstappen needed to win the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Lando Norris finishing in 4th position or lower, in order to win a fifth consecutive championship. However, unfortunately for the Dutchman, Norris was able to stay in third position and subsequently take the championship.

Verstappen also had to ensure that he stayed ahead of Oscar Piastri, who had fit the Hard compound tyre, running a different strategy to the Dutchman. There was speculation that Verstappen might try to back the cars in the field up and bunch them together, in an attempt to knock Norris out of third place.

However, Verstappen did not attempt to back up the field, deciding to go and win the race on pure pace, instead.

Speaking about why he chose not to try and back the field into one another, Verstappen said: "I had a lot of scenario's in my head, but once I knew the tyres that Oscar {Piastri} had on the car, that would be quite difficult. I think we were probably a bit too quick, up front."

Verstappen added: "The others couldn't really follow that well. Charles drove his heart out today, to try and get onto that podium. So that was also impressive to see. But, of course, they went for a two-stop. I think that made it even more complicated, because if you stay on a one-stop, backing the whole thing up, it's tough. I think, anyway, this new layout around here makes it even harder to do that, compared to 2016."

Charles Leclerc put Lando Norris under pressure throughout the race as the Monegasque came close to scoring another podium, but after the first pit stop, Leclerc struggled for grip and temperature in his Hard compound tyres, and lost time to Norris.

Verstappen's team-mate, Yuki Tsunoda, also attempted to slow Norris down and back the Brit into Leclerc, but this ultimately failed, with Tsunoda even picking up a 5-second penalty for weaving on the straight.

Verstappen closed out his 2025 campaign with the most victories and most poles by a single driver, and was just 2-points down on Norris, in the end.

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