Chasing Schumacher's record. What Verstappen needs to clinch a fifth consecutive Formula 1 world title
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The penultimate Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season took place in Qatar on November 30. The race ended with a victory for the reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who started from third on the grid, right behind his main rivals from McLaren.
Heading into the final showdown in Abu Dhabi, the Dutchman has overtaken Oscar Piastri in the overall standings and now trails Lando Norris by just 14 points—a scenario that seemed impossible only a couple of months ago. Verstappen is now on the verge of a fifth consecutive title, a feat achieved only by the legendary Michael Schumacher (2000–2004), and with three drivers still in contention for the crown.
Driver standings before the final Grand Prix:
- Lando Norris (McLaren, Great Britain) — 408
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull, Netherlands) — 396
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren, Australia) — 392
Lando Norris remains the main favorite for the title—he just needs to finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi. For Piastri to become champion, he must win and hope Norris finishes no higher than sixth (Verstappen's result wouldn't matter in that scenario). There are a few other possible outcomes, but that's where Verstappen comes back into play.
For Max, the task is clear: he has to win in Abu Dhabi and hope Norris fails to reach the top three. It's also important to remember that retirements and disqualifications—always a possibility in Formula 1—could shake things up. There are many different scenarios, but we've outlined the most likely ones here.
The Abu Dhabi race weekend kicks off on December 5 with free practice, followed by qualifying the next day, and the world champion will be crowned on December 7. The race is set to start at 14:00 Central European Time.
For reference, the last time the Formula 1 title was decided at the final round was in 2021—when Max Verstappen clinched his maiden world championship after a dramatic battle with Lewis Hamilton.
