At our request, the artificial intelligence successfully predicted the F1 season finale: the title fight between McLaren and Verstappen is set for a thrilling conclusion.
With only three races left in the 2025 season, we asked Gemini to predict the conclusion of the title fight between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen. The result is a dramatic scenario where McLaren’s fragility transforms a triumphant march into a psychological battle.
Las Vegas Grand Prix: The Papaya Nightmare Weekend
The Las Vegas GP, with its low temperatures and close walls, plays a cruel trick on McLaren. Qualifying sees Verstappen excel in the single-lap city sprint, exploiting the Red Bull’s efficiency to take pole position. Norris places right behind him, while George Russell is third. Piastri, however, struggles to find the right tire temperature window and qualifies fifth.
The race quickly turns into a nightmare for McLaren. On lap 15, Piastri pays the price for his recent tendency toward accidents, hitting the wall near the Sphere due to over-aggression and retiring. The drama is fully realized on lap 35, when Norris is also forced to retire due to a mechanical gearbox failure. Max Verstappen wins the race undisturbed, with Russell and Charles Leclerc completing the podium.
The result completely reopens the title race. Verstappen‘s victory allows him to gain 25 points and draw level with Piastri in second position, reducing the gap to leader Norris to just 24 points.
| Pos | Driver | Total points |
| 1 | Lando Norris | 390 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | 366 (-24) |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | 366 (-24) |
Qatar Grand Prix: McLaren’s Reaction
Upon arriving at Lusail, Norris and McLaren are under extreme pressure, but the high-speed track is perfect for the characteristics of the MCL39. The Sprint Qualifying and the following mini-race are dominated by Norris, who drives with anger to react to the Las Vegas disaster, with Piastri second and Verstappen third. The British driver thus climbs to 398 points, with Piastri returning to 373 points behind him, and Verstappen closely following with 372.
Grand Prix qualifying sees Norris assert himself again by taking pole position, followed by Verstappen and Piastri. The race is managed by McLaren with veiled team orders, aiming to bring both cars home. Norris dominates the race to take the win. Behind him, Verstappen and Red Bull demonstrate their strategic skill by overtaking a struggling Piastri during the pit stop, with the Australian finishing third.
Regarding the championship, the victory brings Norris to 423 points. With a 33-point lead over Verstappen and 35 over Piastri, and only a maximum of 25 points available, the Brit is mathematically the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion with one race remaining.
| Pos | Driver | Total points |
| 1 | Lando Norris | 423 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | 390 (-33) |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | 388 (-35) |
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Nail-Biting Showdown for P2
At Yas Marina, the fight for second place is still open. Verstappen pushes to the maximum, fighting tooth and nail. Piastri must finish ahead of the Dutchman to secure the silver medal, but the Red Bull is very effective in the third sector.
READ ALSO: McLaren, Norris Wants the Decisive Lead: “Difficult Track in the Past but I’m Motivated for the Final Sprint”
In qualifying, Verstappen takes the final pole position of the season, beating Norris and Piastri. The race sees the number 1 Red Bull triumph for the last time in 2025, followed by Norris in second place, who attempts to act as a wingman for his teammate by pressuring Verstappen but, perhaps too relaxed after securing the title, fails in his mission. In any case, Piastri, affected by the pressure, fails to keep up the pace and finishes fourth, also being overtaken by Leclerc.
The final standings thus seal Verstappen’s completed comeback, who steals second place from Piastri.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Total points |
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 441 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 415 (-26) |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 400 (-41) |
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool, McLaren Racing Media Centre
