MONDAY MORNING DEBRIEF: The key role Piastri played in Abu Dhabi that helped seal Norris' championship

As the thrilling 2025 season came to a close in Abu Dhabi, all the attention was focused on new F1 World Champion Lando Norris after the McLaren man won the title by two points over Max Verstappen – the now-deposed World Champion won the race but just missed out on making it five in a row.

But it was easy to forget amid all the celebrations the role played by the third title contender Oscar Piastri. His aggressive strategy, and the perfect way he put it together, was a crucial part in sealing Norris his required podium finish.

Piastri was 16 points behind Norris coming into the finale and so had only an outside chance of taking the title himself. If he won the race, Norris would need to finish sixth or lower. If he was second, Norris would need to be 10th or worse with Verstappen fourth or worse.