### Tension Builds as Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Approaches: A Three-Way Championship Showdown As the 2025 Formula 1 season draws to a close, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling finale with a three-way battle for the Drivers' Championship. Lando Norris leads the standings, closely followed by Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, making the stakes incredibly high for the final race. The qualifying session on December 7 will be crucial, especially after a dramatic final practice session that saw Lewis Hamilton crash, raising questions about his performance and readiness for the race [https://www.grandprix247.com/2025/12/07/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-saturday-teams-drivers-report-from-yas-marina]. ### Breakdown of Key Events Leading to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 1. **Final Practice Highlights**: - George Russell topped the final practice session, edging out championship contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen by a mere 0.004 seconds [https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13479954/abu-dhabi-gp-george-russell-edges-out-title-contenders-lando-norris-max-verstappen-as-lewis-hamilton-crashes-in-final-practice]. - Lewis Hamilton crashed during this session, losing control of his Ferrari and bringing out a red flag, which could impact his qualifying performance [https://www.nine.com.au/sport/motorsport/f1-news-2025-lewis-hamilton-crashes-in-final-practice-abu-dhabi-gp-ahead-of-qualifying-oscar-piastri-fifth-20251206-p5nlge.html]. 2. **Championship Context**: - Lando Norris, currently leading the championship, must finish in the top three to secure the title. He holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen and a 16-point lead over Piastri [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/formula-1/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-2025-formula-1-free-practice-lando-norris-in-pics]. - The pressure is on for all three drivers, as any misstep could change the outcome of the championship [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/formula-one/norris-quicker-than-verstappen-in-abu-dhabi-practice-piastri-lags]. 3. **Performance Trends**: - Norris dominated the earlier practice sessions, setting the fastest times and establishing himself as the driver to beat [https://www.apnews.com/article/f1-norris-piastri-verstappen-abu-dhabi-preview-faa56bb1e6892dc34730ba5e34125148]. - Russell's performance in the final practice indicates that he could disrupt the title contenders' plans, showcasing the competitive nature of the field [https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/abu-dhabi-grand-prix-2025-f1-practice-results]. ### Summary of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Build-Up In summary, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is shaping up to be a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with a three-way battle for the championship title. 1. **Key Players**: Lando Norris leads the championship, with Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri closely trailing. 2. **Final Practice Drama**: George Russell's impressive performance and Hamilton's crash have set the stage for an unpredictable qualifying session. 3. **Title Implications**: Norris must secure a top-three finish to clinch the championship, while Russell aims to play spoiler. The excitement is palpable as fans await the qualifying results and the race on December 8, which will ultimately determine the champion of the season [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/abu-dhabi-gp-fp3-results-36361443].