Top 5 Race Highlights That Shaped the 2025 F1 Championship Battle

1. Las Vegas GP Drama: Disqualifications Shakeup

The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix became one of the most memorable and dramatic races of the season, primarily due
to the post-race disqualifications of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Initially finishing
second and fourth respectively, both were disqualified nearly four hours after the race ended.

This unexpected ruling tightened the drivers’ championship standings significantly. Norris, who entered the
weekend leading the championship, saw his advantage shrink to just 24 points ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri,
who are tied with 366 points each. This major shakeup also affected the race’s official finishing order, benefiting
other drivers and teams.

2. Verstappen’s Dominance and Consistency

Max Verstappen’s performance throughout 2025 has been marked by remarkable dominance, especially highlighted
by his victory in Las Vegas. With six wins and 13 podiums so far, Verstappen demonstrated resilience and skill
across the season despite some ups and downs.

His ability to capitalize on rivals’ mistakes, such as the Las Vegas disqualifications and smart race starts, allowed
him to close the gap on Norris in the overall standings. Verstappen’s confidence is evident as he continues to challenge
fiercely for the title with every race.

“We’ve had a really up and down season, tough times, but also really beautiful moments, and we learned a lot throughout
the whole season. We’re enjoying it now, and then we’ll see next week what we could do again.” – Max Verstappen

3. Mercedes Podium Comeback and Constructors Battle

Beyond the drivers’ championship, Mercedes has made a notable comeback in the constructors standings.
Thanks to the McLaren disqualifications, George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli were promoted into the podium spots
at Las Vegas. Antonelli’s impressive rise from 17th on the grid to 3rd place was a standout performance.

These podiums helped Mercedes maintain a 40-point lead over Red Bull in second place for the constructors title. Meanwhile,
McLaren had already secured the constructors championship earlier in October, allowing their drivers to focus on the drivers’ battle.

4. Rivalries Heating Up: Norris vs Verstappen vs Piastri

The 2025 season has been defined by the intense rivalry among Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri. Norris led
the championship for the majority of the year, but Verstappen’s aggressive comeback and Piastri’s consistent podium finishes
keep the title hunt unpredictable.

Particularly in circuits like Las Vegas, strategic defense and overtaking maneuvers have proven pivotal. Norris’s early race
defensive moves opened the door for Verstappen to take the lead, emphasizing how critical split-second decisions are in the championship race.

5. Key Overtakes and Strategic Moves that Changed Positions

Throughout the season, several bold overtakes and race strategies have directly influenced the driver standings. For example,
Charles Leclerc’s charge from ninth to sixth and Carlos Sainz’s steady drive to seventh per race have impacted midfield battles
and points distribution.

Lewis Hamilton’s recovery from the back of the grid to score points in some races, combined with the immediate impact of pit stop
strategies and tire choices, demonstrates how every element on race day can affect championship outcomes.

These strategic intricacies emphasize why every race moment—from qualifying to final lap—is critical in the tight 2025 fight.