ABU DHABI: VERSTAPPEN WINS BUT NORRIS IS WORLD CHAMPION
Max Verstappen wins the Abu Dhabi GP ahead of Oscar Piastri. Lando Norris takes the third step of the podium and triumphs in the 2025 F1 World Championship. Fourth place for Leclerc, who concludes Ferrari’s disastrous season. Hamilton returns to the points after his third consecutive Q1 elimination. Fifth place for Russell, allowing his team to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship. Thus ends the F1 season, with McLaren crowned Constructors’ Champions and Lando Norris, for the first time in his career, World Champion.
GIOVANNI’S COMMENTARY
A rather boring race, except for the Tsunoda–Norris battle and Piastri’s early overtake. Hamilton delivers a great comeback, although barely shown on camera. In the back of the field, most drivers battle but without overdoing it and without ever becoming protagonists. The only driver to interfere in the title fight is Tsunoda who, in my opinion, could have done better. The Japanese driver perhaps should have focused more on himself and finishing his race — and his season — in the best possible way, rather than hindering Norris. Most likely, he simply couldn’t refuse the team order.
Max dominates the race but it’s not enough to win the championship. The Dutchman delivers a perfect weekend with pole and victory, yet he misses out on the title by just two points. Tsunoda does everything well in qualifying; in the race he tries to imitate Pérez 2021, but with poor results. His race is compromised and he bids farewell to F1 with zero points.
Norris and McLaren were flawless. They fought hard and secured a podium — the minimum result needed to clinch the world title. Piastri finishes second but does nothing more to challenge Verstappen.
Ferrari starts the race very well, with Leclerc involved in the battle for the podium. In the second half of the race, the car’s lack of performance prevents him from closing in on Norris and finishing in the top three. Hamilton has a weekend of two halves: eliminated in Q1, he fights back in the race and returns to the points. For the Briton it will be important to start well next year and quickly put this disastrous season behind him.
Mercedes struggles in Abu Dhabi. The British team is the fourth force this weekend and settles for Russell’s fifth place, enough to secure second in the Constructors’ standings. Antonelli is fairly anonymous, struggling from qualifying onward.
Fantastic job from Fernando Alonso, once again able to extract the maximum from a very difficult car. The Spaniard finishes behind Russell, saying goodbye to a machine that has been hard to interpret. All his hopes now lie with his new team principal and the 2026 season.
Ocon returns to the points and finishes ahead of his teammate. Haas struggles in Abu Dhabi but manages to score points thanks to the Frenchman.
Points also for Hulkenberg’s Sauber. The German delivers a great qualifying session and a consistent, risk-free race. Bortoleto tries everything to snatch the final available point — perhaps also trying to redeem his recent lacklustre performances — but has to concede defeat to Stroll’s solid defence.
The disappointments of the weekend are certainly Racing Bulls and Williams. Despite good qualifying sessions, neither team is able to fight for points. A risk-free and fairly anonymous race for both teams, who finish the final event with zero points.
Yet another race as backmarkers for Alpine, which says goodbye to the last race with Renault engines with a second-to-last and last place finish. The French team hopes for a turnaround in 2026 after hitting rock bottom this season. Gasly always tries to save what he can, but his teammate once again proves he is not fit for the category.
Author: Gabriele Bovio