F1 2025 title race: Piastri vs Norris vs Verstappen – where will it be won and lost?

fight 2025 f1 The drivers’ title is heating up and with five rounds remaining in this season, it is now a three-horse race.

oscar piastriHis gains have waned in recent weeks and his gains have evaporated mclaren TeamMite lando norris Is there now only 14 pointsFinished three races without a podium finish.

Still, a storm is brewing behind both papaya drivers red Bull‘S max verstappenchasing a fifth consecutive championshipThe Dutchman is now just 40 points clear of Piastri after a deficit of 104 points in August and still has 141 points to play for.

Verstappen won three of the last four racesWhile McLaren last won a Grand Prix at Zandvoort in August. Momentum has shifted in Red Bull’s favour, with many pundits now backing Verstappen for an unprecedented comeback. Despite Verstappen’s form, McLaren are set to continue their policy of not making any of their drivers the clear-cut No. 1.

But where can the title be won or lost? Independent Evaluates each of the next five races, which one he prefers and what changes the sport faces as the 2025 season concludes.

Mexico City Grand Prix (24–26 October)

Verstappen is the favorite here. Not only does he have a stellar record at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – he has won the race five times – but the 1.2km start-finish straight favors the Red Bull car, which has unlocked the pace in a straight line in recent races.

Verstappen’s dominance at Monza last monthThe RB21’s improvements are highlighted, along with a historically long straight, with a new floor providing significantly more downforce and allowing engineers to unlock more performance, including a variety of setup options that cater to the Dutchman’s aggressive, front-limited driving style.

Top-3 – World Championship

Along with the pace, Verstappen will also stop for a while. However, after a few poor weeks, McLaren and championship leader Oscar Piastri just need to find some consistency again.

The car does not slow down suddenly; It can still compete with Red Bull. Yet both Piastri and Norris were making small mistakes in qualifying, making all the difference to their grid positions.

Consecutive podiums might be enough for the Australian. That should be his aim in Mexico, while Norris still needs to gamble more and compete with Verstappen.

Last year, Verstappen received Huge 20 second penalty Norris was forced off the track after the 2024 title race ended. Will a similar display of hostility be seen here also?

Prediction: Verstappen P1, Norris P2, Piastri P4.

Predicted Lead: plates – +8 to Norris; +27 to Verstappen

Brazilian Grand Prix (7–9 November)

much like last yearThis could be a game-changing weekend.

Once again, the spectacular Interlagos Circuit will host a sprint race, with 33 points up for grabs during the weekend. Verstappen recorded that maximum figure in Austin last time out, putting him firmly back in the title picture – can he overtake his rivals here too?

Verstappen should be the favorite once again. From his miraculous rescue in 2016 inspiration of his life From P17 to P1 last year, the Dutchman relishes the changeable weather conditions that often arise in Sao Paulo. There’s no doubt that he and his Red Bull team will be doing a rain dance.

Conversely, this is where Norris’s title challenge fizzled out With a whisper last seasonHas he learned from that experience? And how can it help him this time?

The solace for McLaren lies in the track configuration. No massively long straight lines and a series of slow corners should level the playing field car-wise. This program will be about who can limit mistakes.

Prediction: Verstappen P1 (Sprint P2), Piastri P2 (Sprint P3), Norris P3 (Sprint P1).

Predicted Lead: plates – +10 to Norris; +19 to Verstappen

Las Vegas Grand Prix (21–23 November)

The Sin City Strip Circuit – in its third iteration – may be an outlier.

In cold conditions, Mercedes dominated last year under George Russell one or two finishedThe Silver Arrows will be right in the mix again this year, potentially creating obstacles in the works for the three title rivals.

Verstappen, who captured the title in Vegas last year, Won first race in 2023 And the 1.92 km back straight should favor the Red Bull car. However, how the tires cope with the cold 12C conditions will be a key aspect for the entire weekend.

Norris crashed out of the inaugural race in Vegas two years ago and finished sixth last season, while Piastri managed only seventh. Both will require major improvements this time.

Prediction: Verstappen P2; Norris P3; Piastri P4

Predicted Lead: plates – +7 to Norris; +13 to Verstappen

Qatar Grand Prix (28–30 November)

The final sprint weekend of the season – and possibly the final venue for a major points swing, should it happen.

What is worrying for McLaren is that Verstappen has won the last two races at the Lusail International Circuit, which has many high-speed corners but is also known for high tire wear, as evidenced by the mandatory three-stop rule in 2023.

Given that there are no further upgrades this season, McLaren and Red Bull may be stronger than ever by the final round. Hot conditions in the Middle East and a quick turnaround from Vegas – and a 12-hour time zone change – are other factors as the title race reaches boiling point.

Prediction: Norris P1 (Sprint P3), Verstappen P2 (Sprint P1), Piastri P3 (Sprint P2)

Predicted Lead: plates – +1 to Norris; +15 to Verstappen

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (5–7 December)

Put Sunday December 7th on your calendars now; All evidence suggests that this three-horse race will go all the way to the final Grand Prix.

On paper, of all the remaining tracks, the Yas Marina Circuit probably suits McLaren the most. Norris won the race last year – Sealing the ‘2024’ Constructors’ title in the process. – While Verstappen and Piastri collided at the start, the Dutchman was penalised.

This will be the first title-deciding final race since infamous 2021 finale And those exciting and controversial final few laps between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Anything close to that level of drama this time – and we’re in for a treat.

Predicting the champion, I called Norris absolutely correct start of season – And I’ll stick to it.

Prediction: Norris P1, Verstappen P2, Piastri P3

Estimated Winner: Norris – +9 to piastre; +21 to Verstappen