As the F1 season nears its dramatic close, pivotal battles across the grid promise to reshape the championship’s legacy.
Three Grands Prix (and a sprint) remain before the longest season in F1 history concludes. Contrary to fears following Red Bull’s dominant doubles early in the year, plenty of action and drama still await in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Here’s a look at the five most compelling storylines for the season’s finale:
Can Verstappen Win Despite Red Bull?
With a 62-point lead over Lando Norris, Max Verstappen could secure his fourth title (joining Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel) as early as the next Grand Prix in Las Vegas. The scenarios are numerous but straightforward: if he finishes ahead of Norris or if his rival places lower than ninth, the Dutchman will be crowned champion. Even with a poor result, Verstappen only needs to score points to seal the deal. In short, barring a major upset, this title seems all but guaranteed.
However, this apparent coronation comes with a historical oddity. Red Bull remains stuck at 544 points, trailing McLaren (593) and Ferrari (557), which could see them finish third in the Constructors’ standings. It would mark the first time in over 40 years (Brabham in 1980 with Alan Jones) that a driver wins the World Championship while their team ranks third.
The culprit? Sergio Pérez, whose frequent shortcomings have clearly hurt Red Bull’s campaign.
Will McLaren or Ferrari Prevail?
With a 36-point lead over Ferrari and a 49-point gap to Red Bull, McLaren holds the upper hand in a strategic battle for the title. But this lead is precarious, and the final three races could reshuffle the deck.
Ferrari appears better suited for Las Vegas, thanks to its engine power and the long straights of the circuit. Charles Leclerc emphasized that if the Scuderia manages tire temperatures effectively in Nevada, they could make a significant impact.
McLaren, on the other hand, should excel at the Qatar and Abu Dhabi circuits, where quick cornering precision and tire management are pivotal. The key, however, may lie with Oscar Piastri: inconsistent, particularly in qualifying, the Australian will need to elevate his performance.
Red Bull, despite Verstappen’s dominance, seems outpaced—largely due to Pérez’s struggles.
Could McLaren secure its first historic title since 1999, or Ferrari since 2008? One thing is certain: an F1 legend is set to reclaim its place at the pinnacle of the sport.
Who Will Claim Sixth—and €30 Million?
The fight for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship—between Alpine (49 points), Haas (46 points), and Racing Bulls (44 points)—is about more than just prestige. At stake? Nearly €30 million in prize money. For teams seeking financial stability, this is a vital objective.
Haas appears slightly better equipped, thanks to recent upgrades that have proven effective. Nico Hülkenberg, consistently strong and reliable, may be their trump card, although Kevin Magnussen has also shown a resurgence in the last few Grands Prix.
Alpine is relying on the raw talent of its drivers, Ocon and Gasly, who shone in the rain at Interlagos. Their blue car has also seen progress with upgrades introduced in Austin. However, on circuits like Las Vegas and in the Middle East, engine power and tire management will be critical—areas where Alpine F1 traditionally struggles (to put it mildly).
RB F1, meanwhile, sees its drivers Tsunoda and Lawson under pressure to deliver. With a potential Red Bull seat at stake to replace Pérez, they have every reason to perform in these final three races.
Will Colapinto Secure a 2025 Seat?
One of the biggest surprises of the season’s second half has been Franco Colapinto, who replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams F1. His recent impressive performances position him as a strong contender to take a full-time seat in 2025, possibly replacing Sergio Pérez or Jack Doohan—despite the latter being previously linked to Alpine F1.
Doohan, already struggling with confidence even before joining Enstone, now faces an uncertain future. Flavio Briatore, never one to shy away from bold decisions, may void Doohan’s contract without hesitation to secure the Argentinian driver. His silence on the latest rumors speaks volumes.
The Las Vegas circuit could be pivotal. If Franco Colapinto avoids mistakes on the challenging and unfamiliar track, he will strengthen his case further with Briatore. However, the young driver must be flawless; any misstep could give Doohan a lifeline.
Who Will Claim Tenth in F1?
The battle for 10th place in the Drivers’ Championship remains wide open, with minimal gaps separating the contenders. Nico Hülkenberg (31 points) leads the pack, but Yuki Tsunoda (28), Pierre Gasly (26), Lance Stroll (24), and Esteban Ocon (23) are all within striking distance.
Hülkenberg, true to his consistency, appears to be the favorite. Tsunoda, capable of standout performances, could leverage the added motivation to prove he deserves a Red Bull seat—though he has shown signs of cracking under pressure in recent races.
Gasly and Ocon, who excelled in the rain at Interlagos, may find it harder to shine under the dry conditions of the remaining circuits. Still, they remain serious contenders.
Stroll, the eternal wildcard, continues to defy prediction—anonymous for ten races yet capable of brilliance in the next.
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