As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its thrilling conclusion at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, Lando Norris has made it clear he will not ask McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri for assistance in his bid for the drivers’ championship.

The 26-year-old British driver currently leads Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri by 16 points heading into the Yas Marina finale, with all three drivers still in contention for the title. With 25 points awarded for a race win and 18 points for second place, the championship remains wide open.

Norris Eyes Maiden F1 Championship

For Norris, securing a podium finish at Yas Marina would guarantee his first Formula 1 world championship. However, the title race could slip through his fingers if Verstappen wins the race while Norris finishes fourth or lower.

Given McLaren’s internal dynamics, some fans speculated that Piastri could be asked to yield position to Norris if he was running ahead in second or third place with Verstappen leading. Norris, however, firmly rejected the notion of requesting such team orders.

“It’s not really up to me, and I’m not going to ask it,” Norris said during Thursday’s press conference. “I don’t want to ask it because I don’t think it’s necessarily a fair question. I don’t know. It’s up to Oscar if he would allow it, you know?”

Piastri Still in the Hunt

Oscar Piastri, 24, remains an outsider in the championship, needing a win in Abu Dhabi combined with Norris finishing sixth or lower to claim his first drivers’ title.

“It’s not something we have discussed,” Piastri explained. “Until I know what’s kind of expected, I don’t really have an answer.”

Interestingly, Norris indicated that if the roles were reversed, he would be willing to let his team-mate pass if it was necessary in a title-deciding scenario.

“Personally, I think I would, just because I feel I’m always like that. That’s just how I am,” he said.

Norris’ Comeback to Title Contention

Earlier in the season, Norris faced a significant setback after retiring at the Dutch Grand Prix, leaving him 34 points behind Piastri. But a series of podium finishes in Monza, Singapore, and Austin, coupled with consecutive victories in Mexico and Brazil, allowed him to reclaim control of the championship heading into the final races.

He is now aiming to become the 11th British driver to win the F1 World Championship, a milestone that would mark McLaren’s first drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008.

Verstappen’s Challenge

Max Verstappen, who trailed Piastri by 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix, has mounted an impressive comeback with five victories since the summer break, including a win in Doha last week. His path to the championship is clear: win in Abu Dhabi and hope Norris finishes fourth or lower.

“I didn’t expect to be in the title fight but here we are,” Verstappen joked. If he wins, he could equal seven-time champion Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive drivers’ titles.

Despite the intense competition, Norris emphasized that he would congratulate Verstappen if the Dutch driver clinches the championship, showing sportsmanship even in a high-stakes battle.

“Doesn’t change anything, doesn’t change my life. So he’ll deserve it over us,” Norris said.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 Preview

The Yas Marina Circuit will host the championship-deciding race from 5-7 December. Fans can follow live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra, and Sports Extra 2, as well as live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

This weekend promises to deliver one of the most exciting conclusions to a Formula 1 season in recent history, with McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both vying for a historic title, and Max Verstappen fighting to maintain his streak of dominance.