On Sunday (7/12), Formula 1 concludes the 2025 season with the definition of the title in Abu Dhabi. The decision will have a rare element that has not happened since 2010: three riders who reach the final race with mathematical chances of becoming champions – Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.
The trio arrives with a gap of just 16 points – Norris on 408, Verstappen on 396 and Piastri on 392 – making the stage at Yas Marina the most controversial final in recent years.
Throughout the history of Formula 1, the decision to have three or more surviving drivers in the title fight has only appeared in 11 seasons: 1950, 1951, 1956, 1964, 1968, 1974, 1981, 1983, 1986, 2007 and 2010.
Read also
-
Sports
F1: The title candidate was excluded from the first free practice in Abu Dhabi
-
Sports
McLaren may win Formula 1 title after 17 years remember achievement
-
Sports
myth? Norris has the curiosity in his favor to be a Formula 1 champion
-
Sports
Norris, Verstappen and Piastri: what it takes to be a champion
Seasons with three (or more) title contenders in the final race
1950 – Giuseppe Farina x Juan Manuel Fangio x Luigi Fagioli
The first decision in history was taken at Monza, where the three Alfa Romeo drivers are still in contention. Farina dominated the race, winning strongly and becoming the first world champion.
1951 – Juan Manuel Fangio x Alberto Ascari x Jose Froilan Gonzalez
The final stage, at Pedralbes, pitted Fangio against the Ferrari duo. The Argentine dominated the race and won without any fear, achieving the second title in his career.
1956 – Juan Manuel Fangio x Peter Collins x Stirling Moss x Jan Behra
Monza received a historic decision. Fangio had mechanical problems, but Collins handed his car over to his partner. With his second place in the race, the Argentine secured his fourth title.
1964 – John Surtees x Graham Hill x James Clark
In Mexico, Clark was in the lead and had the title within reach until he suffered a collapse at the end. Surtees, who needed second place, was helped by Bandini, who opened the way on the final lap. Thus, the Briton won the championship.
1968 – Graham Hill x Jackie Stewart x Denny Holm
All three arrived with chances at the Mexican Grand Prix. Stewart and Hulme had problems during the race, and Hill won comfortably, taking his second world title.
1974 – Clay Regazzoni x Emerson Fittipaldi x Jody Scheckter
The decision at Watkins Glen had the three favorites start in the middle of the pack. Regazzoni suffered from poor speed and Scheckter retired. Emerson ran the race, finishing fourth and becoming a two-time champion.
4 photos
Conditional closure.
1 of 4
Fittipaldi beat two rivals in the dispute and won in 1974
Bernard Cahir/Getty Images 2 of 4
Raikkonen won the title in 2007
Paul Gillham/Getty Images 3 of 4
Fangio won the championship in 1951
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images4 of 4
Farina was the first to win the World Drivers’ Championship in 1950
Bateman/Getty Images
1981 – Carlos Reutemann x Nelson Piquet x Jacques Laffite
In Las Vegas, Reutemann was unable to maintain his performance and quickly fell to the grid. Piquet, despite his physical weakness, came in fifth place and took the title by just one point.
1983 – Alain Prost x Nelson Piquet x René Arnault
The final stage, in South Africa, began with Proust’s attempt to respond. But Piquet raced safely, finished second and secured his second title thanks to the Frenchman’s secret result.
1986 – Nigel Mansell x Alain Prost x Nelson Piquet
The Australian Grand Prix became a classic race: Mansell blew a tire at high speed and retired. Piquet was called into the pits as a precaution, and Prost took the lead to win and claim his second title.
2007 – Lewis Hamilton x Fernando Alonso x Kimi Raikkonen
In Brazil, Hamilton faced difficulties in the first laps and lost positions. Ferrari took advantage of this moment, played a perfect team race and Raikkonen won the race, taking the title by one point.
2010 – Fernando Alonso x Mark Webber x Sebastian Vettel x Lewis Hamilton
The final stage in Abu Dhabi was marked by Ferrari’s faulty strategy, which trapped Alonso behind slower cars. Vettel won, Hamilton came in third, and the German became the youngest champion in history.