2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Driver Ratings

Lando Norris clinched his first F1 drivers' championship at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, putting together an assured drive to the podium to prove his doubters wrong.

The McLaren driver outlasted Max Verstappen and team-mate Oscar Piastri, who also both impressed under the lights of the Yas Marina Circuit.

The three-way title fight came into its own over the second part of the campaign, as F1 heads into the winter with an exciting future awaiting next campaign.

But first, what were the RacingNews365 driver ratings for the year-ending 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Find out below!

The top five

Max Verstappen - 10

Dominated when it mattered, helping turn around a tricky RB21 in practice to destroy his title rivals across qualifying and the race. Did all that he could; he just came up short in the end. But he raced the right way and can hold his head high. As Ted Kravitz said, this is a "pause" to his era. On another day, he would have retained his crown, but it was just not meant to be.

Lando Norris - 9

Held his nerve when the pressure was at its highest. Did what he needed to do in qualifying and then, in the race, held off a pacy Charles Leclerc and then carved his way through the pack without hesitation, including a wonderful move on Liam Lawson and Lance Stroll at the same time. Navigated the tricky Yuki Tsunoda situation adeptly and with composure. A champion's drive and a worthy one at that. So much has been said about Norris, but he proved that he could do it, his was as well — whilst ultimately silencing his doubters.

Oscar Piastri - 8.5

It was always going to be a long shot, even more so when he qualified behind Verstappen and Norris. However, he was brilliant throughout the race and simultaneously played the team game whilst fighting for his own title destiny. His move around the outside of Norris on the first lap was wonderfully executed, even if discussed prior. Falling just 14 points short after the torrid run-in he has endured will sting, but he'll be back.

Charles Leclerc - 8

Took it upon himself to singlehandedly strike fear into the hearts of the entire McLaren team throughout that race, but he put together a very strong drive, taking the maximum that really was on offer to him. Yet again showed his currently a step clear of Lewis Hamilton and is surely ready to challenge for the title if blessed with the required machinery.

Fernando Alonso - 8

Aston Martin falling to seventh in the constructors' standings — and just three points behind Racing Bulls — is a disappointing result for the Silverstone squad's year, but pre-race Alonso was far more concerned with the threat of Haas and Stake from behind. Outperformed the car again in qualifying and drove a quiet and assured race to nullify any risk to those below.

The bottom five

Franco Colapinto - 4.5

Another quiet weekend in an Alpine that cannot compete with any other team — but maybe for the final time. Pierre Gasly was four-tenths quicker as they took the final two spots on the grid, in a qualifying session that highlighted Colapinto's single biggest struggle: putting together a push lap. He had two deleted for track limits. He will be glad to see the back of this season with a far more promising 2026 ahead.

Yuki Tsunoda - 4

Reached Q3, if not with a slice of good fortune from the track limits Gods, but he was only ever going to be racing for Verstappen, even in his final F1 race (for now). His defence on Norris was spirited until it wasn't. He ultimately took it just too far and was deserving of his five-second time penalty — as polarising a subject as it will no doubt be. Hard to argue he did enough to keep his seat at Red Bull, but also hard to argue he isn't good enough to be in F1; the weekend was the story of his season.

Liam Lawson - 4

Copped a five-second time penalty for "driving erratically" and was off the pace of team-mate Isack Hadjar the entire weekend. One to forget for the New Zealander...

Alex Albon - 3.5

Another anonymous weekend for Albon, who was again knocked out in Q1 and outperformed by Carlos Sainz on the other side of the Williams garage. Will need to come out swinging next season as the Spaniard continues to improve.

Kimi Antonelli - 3.5

A disappointing weekend for the young Italian after showing strong form of late. Qualified poorly and fell further down the order at the start of the race. Could only recover to P15 and was outclassed by George Russell. One of those 'rookie rounds' he is bound to experience.