Norris, Verstappen, Piastri - the easiest route to 2025 F1 champion glory

The showdown at sundown has arrived with Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri set for F1's first three-way title-decider since 2010. 

Norris will start in P2, Verstappen from P1 and Piastri in P3 for the 58-lap race at Yas Marina, but what is the easiest route for each to become the 2025 world champion?

Below, RacingNews365 takes a look at the easiest way for each of the trio to claim the title. 

Lando Norris

For Norris, the equation is very simple. 

If he finishes on the podium, in any position, he will be crowned the 35th F1 world champion, and the 11th from Great Britain. 

EASIEST ROUTE: FINISH ON THE PODIUM IN ANY POSITION. 

Max Verstappen

For Verstappen to have any hope of winning the title, he must finish on the podium.

This is because if he were to finish fourth (12 points) and Norris did not score, the two would draw level, but Norris would claim the title on countback of P2 finishes, as both would be tied on seven wins. Norris has eight P2 finishes to Verstappen's five.

If Verstappen were to win the grand prix and take 25 points, it would mean Norris would be required to take that podium with P3 at the worst, enough to secure the title. 

EASIEST ROUTE: WIN THE GRAND PRIX AND NORRIS FINISH P4 OR LOWER. DOES NOT MATTER WHAT PIASTRI DOES IF VERSTAPPEN WINS.

Oscar Piastri

16 points behind Norris and four behind Verstappen, Piastri must finish either first or second.

If he finishes lower than second, his hopes are over.

Should he win the race, it would not matter where Verstappen finishes, as the seven-point gap between first and second would eliminate the four-point disadvantage the Australian currently has to the Dutchman. 

Attention would then turn to Norris. If Piastri wins, Norris must be sixth or lower with 25 points for the win, playing eight, Norris would receive for P6.

This is a 17-point gap, enough for Piastri to claim the title by one point. 

EASIEST ROUTE: WIN THE GRAND PRIX AND NORRIS FINISH P6 OR LOWER. DOES NOT MATTER WHAT VERSTAPPEN DOES IF PIASTRI WINS.