Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Predictions: Who wins the F1 title?

Here we are then. The finale of the 2025 Formula One season, and as we head to Abu Dhabi, three drivers can still win the Drivers’ Championship. This weekend is such an exciting prospect, and evokes memories of the crazy end to the 2021 season, where Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton to win his first title after a controversial safety car. 

So, who will it be? Lando Norris, Verstappen, or Oscar Piastri? Below you can find my Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 predictions. 

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Odds

Verstappen is the favourite to win this race at 11/8, Norris is 5/2 and Piastri is 3/1. George Russell is 10/1 while Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli is 18/1. 

Formula One 2025 Drivers’ Championship Odds

In terms of the title, Lando remains the strong favourite at 1/3 given his 12-point advantage over Verstappen, with the Dutchman 11/4 to scoop his fifth title. Oscar is 12/1 to launch a remarkable comeback and overhaul the Red Bull man and  his teammate, who sits 16 points clear of him before the weekend. 

Max Verstappen to win the race @ 11/8

I backed Max succesfully last weekend to win in Qatar, and after also winning in Las Vegas I’m backing him to make it three out of three for a number of reasons. First of all, Mad Max is at his best when he has to be uber aggressive and he has nothing to lose. 

Barring a Lando disaster, and I won’t bore you with every permutation ahead of this one, Verstappen is likely going to have to win this race to stand a chance of lifting his fifth consecutive title. He has to attack from the off and in recent weeks he has been the quickest driver on the track, even if he has played that down slightly to the press.

"You need to also be realistic, that I think on pure pace, we're not at the same level," said Verstappen after winning in Qatar. "But at the same time, when strategy maybe comes into play or making the right calls at the right time, we might have the opportunity."

Verstappen was at one point 104 points behind in the title race, but he is going to take it to the wire which is testament to just how good he is. I also want to back him to win, because the one thing the McLarens (Lando in particular), will be desperate to avoid, is any contact and the potential of a DNF. That should weight this heavily into Verstappen’s favour, with his aggression likely to pay off, if the McLarens give him enough room around the Yas Marina.

F1 Odds

Lando Norris to win the Drivers’ Championship @ 1/3

Despite the fact that I believe Verstappen will win the race, I am still backing the Brit to win his first world title. He needs to control his emotions ahead of this one as he doesn’t have experience of being in this sort of situation before, unlike the Red Bull man, but he does have that crucial 12 point advantage over his rival.

Passing Antonelli on the final lap in Qatar for the extra two points was crucial, as it means that a third-place finish (15 points) will be enough for Norris to secure the title no matter what Piastri and Verstappen can produce. I

We must also consider team orders. Imagine a scenario in which Verstappen is running away with a lead, Russell is in second, Piastri is in third and Lando is running fourth. If they finished in that order, Verstappen would be world champion by one point. But with Piastri unable to win the title in that scenario, McLaren would surely just switch their drivers and in doing so, hand the title to Norris.

It’s something Verstappen cannot control. But unless Piastri is flying out front, he is most likely going to be used as a pawn in order to win Norris the title. He could slow other drivers down and get Norris back into contention. It’s not what the Aussie would have envisaged having led this title race for so long, but McLaren will be desperate not to let this title slip.

I think they will get the job done on what should be a fascinating weekend of action.