Oscar Piastri faces a monumental challenge if he is to become Australia’s first Formula One world champion in over four decades. The McLaren driver heads into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix trailing in the standings, requiring not only a stellar performance but also a significant dose of fortune.
Piastri sits third in the championship, behind his teammate Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. To have any mathematical chance, he must finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi. Even then, his fate would depend on the results of his rivals.
A victory for Piastri would only secure the title if Norris finishes seventh or lower. A second-place finish for the Australian would necessitate an even more dramatic collapse from the drivers ahead of him, making his task exceptionally difficult.
Norris has demonstrated remarkable consistency this season, finishing outside the top six on only a handful of occasions. Verstappen, meanwhile, arrives in strong form and as a proven master at the Yas Marina Circuit, having dominated the event for several years prior to 2024.
The scenario sets the stage for a tense and strategic finale. Piastri’s hopes hinge on executing a flawless race while banking on unpredictable circumstances affecting the championship leaders. It is a long-shot bid for glory, one that would cap an already dramatic season with a historic and unlikely comeback.