A kid’s guide to the final F1 race of 2025: Three drivers, one championship

This children’s sports article, The final F1 race of 2025: Three drivers, one championship, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about the exciting world of Formula One racing, and understand why this year’s final race is so special. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.

A huge season comes down to Abu Dhabi

It has been one of the wildest Formula One seasons in years, and now everything comes down to one final race in Abu Dhabi. Three brilliant drivers can still win the championship: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Norris leads the standings, but Verstappen is only 12 points behind, and Piastri is close too at just 16 points back.

That means anything can happen on Sunday. One mistake, one safety car, or one clever strategy choice could change the whole season. Abu Dhabi has often been the home of dramatic title fights, and this year might be the biggest one yet.

How the championship got so close

Earlier in the year, McLaren looked unstoppable. Piastri won many early races, and Norris was usually right behind him. But everything changed after the summer break. Norris found great form, earning regular podiums and big points. At the same time, Verstappen and Red Bull made improvements to their car, allowing him to win race after race and close a massive points gap.

Last weekend in Qatar, McLaren made a strategy mistake during a safety car period. Almost every car pitted for quicker tyre changes, but the McLarens stayed out. The decision cost them several places, and Verstappen took the victory. That result shrank the points gap again and set up the thrilling situation we have now.

A look back: Who won here last year?

Last year, Lando Norris won in Abu Dhabi with a confident drive from the front. Before that, Verstappen had dominated this track, winning every race here from 2020 to 2023. That means both drivers know exactly how to win at Yas Marina, and both have cars that can perform well.

Why Formula One is loved around the world

Millions of people worldwide watch Formula One. Fans love the speed, the technology, the dramatic battles, and the incredible skill of the drivers. Every race is different. Weather, tyres, tracks and strategy all affect the result, which means surprises happen almost every weekend.

F1 teams also use some of the most advanced engineering in the world. Many inventions first used in F1 later help make everyday road cars safer and cleaner. So watching F1 is not just exciting—it also shows the future of car technology.

What to watch for in the final race

Abu Dhabi has two long straights, tight corners and tricky braking zones, which means overtaking is possible but not easy. Team strategy will play a huge part, especially for McLaren, who have two drivers chasing the title. They may need to make difficult decisions if one driver can help the other.

For Norris, the maths is simple. If he finishes third or better, he becomes champion. But Verstappen has been almost perfect for months, and Piastri is still close enough to cause an upset.

It is the kind of thrilling, nerve-tingling finish that makes F1 one of the most popular sports in the world.

Article vocabulary list

• Championship – A competition to find the best person or team in a sport.
• Strategy – A planned way of doing something to get the best result.
• Safety car – A car that slows the race when there is danger on the track.
• Podium – The top three finishing positions in a race.
• Overtaking – Passing another car on track.
• Technology – Machines and inventions made using science.
• Engineering – Designing and building complex things like cars and engines.
• Points – The scoring system that decides the overall championship.

Comprehension questions

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