The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has been a rollercoaster, but Max Verstappen's recent surge has turned what looked like a comfortable lead for McLaren into a nail-biting finale. After the Qatar Grand Prix, the championship fight is now a three-way battle between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri, heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi.

For much of the season, it appeared McLaren had the upper hand, with Norris and Piastri leading the standings. However, Verstappen and Red Bull have found a new gear since the summer break. Verstappen's consistency and a series of strategic masterstrokes have allowed him to close a significant points gap. Before the summer break, Verstappen was trailing Piastri by a significant margin, but the narrative has dramatically shifted.

The turning point can be traced back to the Dutch Grand Prix, the first race after the summer shutdown. While Piastri won that race, Verstappen secured a valuable second-place finish, marking his return to form after a series of underwhelming results. This was followed by consecutive victories at the Italian Grand Prix and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, demonstrating Red Bull's improved performance and Verstappen's relentless drive.

Verstappen's momentum continued in the races that followed. He secured a dominant victory in Las Vegas, although the McLaren drivers faced disqualification after the race due to excessive wear on their cars, further boosting Verstappen's championship hopes.

The Qatar Grand Prix proved to be a pivotal moment. Verstappen's victory, coupled with Norris's fourth-place finish due to a McLaren pit strategy blunder, allowed Verstappen to significantly close the gap in the driver standings. Piastri finished second. A safety car period early in the race played into Verstappen's hands, allowing him to capitalize on a well-timed pit stop.

Currently, Lando Norris leads the championship with 408 points, followed closely by Max Verstappen with 396 points, and Oscar Piastri with 392. The stage is now set for a thrilling showdown in Abu Dhabi, where any of the three drivers could potentially clinch the title.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle, with the championship hanging in the balance. Verstappen's post-summer break surge has injected fresh excitement into the title race, setting the stage for a grandstand finish.