The Unthinkable Comeback: Why F1 Fans Believe Max Verstappen Can Snatch the Title in Abu Dhabi

The final checkered flag of the season looms large at the Yas Marina Circuit, and the 2025 World Driver Championship is set for a dramatic, three-way showdown. 

While Lando Norris (408 points) remains the favourite, with a 12-point cushion over Max Verstappen (396 points) and 16 points over his teammate Oscar Piastri (392 points), our fan database tells a different story entirely!

The Fans' Bold Prediction

We asked our dedicated Senate Grand Prix database to vote on who they believe will be crowned World Champion in Abu Dhabi, and the results are a stunning reflection of Max Verstappen's relentless momentum:

• Max Verstappen: 55%
• Lando Norris: 37%
• Oscar Piastri: 9%

Despite Norris needing only a podium finish (P3 or better) to guarantee the title, the overwhelming sentiment from our F1 community is that the Dutchman will pull off the ultimate heist.

The Math vs. The Momentum

The cold, complex numbers say Lando has the advantage.

He only needs 15 points—a third-place finish—to seal his maiden title, irrespective of what Verstappen and Piastri do.

However, the Red Bull resurgence has been nothing short of biblical. After the Dutch Grand Prix (Round 15), Verstappen was a staggering 104 points behind the then-leader, Piastri. 

To claw that back to just 12 points heading into the final race is a testament to the driver's focus and the team's ability to maximise every opportunity. Five of Verstappen's seven wins this season have come in the last eight races. 

Momentum isn't just a buzzword; it's the 4-time champion's most potent weapon.

The Comeback of All Comebacks

The fans' belief in a Verstappen victory isn't just about his recent form; it's about the sheer narrative power of this potential achievement. Consider what the man has navigated this year, even off the track:

• New Fatherhood: The arrival of a new baby is a life-altering event for anyone, let alone an elite athlete travelling the world.

• GT and Simulated Racing: His commitment to competitive racing beyond F1, driving in GT series, and his heavy engagement with the simulated racing world (including starting new sim racing companies) show a man driven by competition, not just a job.

To juggle this personal and professional life, contend with a Red Bull car that wasn't a contender in the first half of the season, and overcome a 130-point deficit (the maximum possible gap had he scored zero points when the leader was 104 ahead and he finished.

If Max Verstappen wins the World Driver Championship in Abu Dhabi, it will be the comeback of all comebacks—a story for the ages that proves why you should never bet against a champion with nothing to lose.

And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!