It's not just about the title fight! 4 bets on the last Formula 1 race of 2025

Ashley Davis04/12/2025

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Article by Daniel Grigore – Published on Thursday, 04 December 2025, 11:47 / Updated on Thursday, 04 December 2025 11:55

Perhaps the most important battle after the Norris-Verstappen-Piastri duel is for 6th place in the drivers' standings, a position contested by Lewis Hamilton (152 points) and Kimi Antonelli (150).

Lewis Hamilton versus Kimi Antonelli for 6th place

A few weeks ago, the seven-time world champion seemed sure of that position, but recent catastrophic results (only 10 points accumulated in the last 4 rounds) have allowed Antonelli to come dangerously close.

The Mercedes driver has the form advantage, with top-5 finishes in the last 3 Grands Prix, but Hamilton has experience on his side. 6th place would be a small consolation in a a season he himself described as “nightmare”. If he doesn't place in the top 3, Hamilton would finish first a whole season without a podium!

Sainz beats Albon in his first season at Williams?

Immediately behind the two is the pair of Williams, Alexander Albon (73 points) and Carlos Sainz Junior (64).

Transferred from Williams after Ferrari dropped him to make way for Hamilton, Sainz managed two podiums during the year. Albon hasn't tasted the champagne this season, but has been more consistent throughout the year, especially in the early part of the season.

Sainz needs 9 points to overtake Albon in the overall standings. This would happen if he finished the race in Abu Dhabi at least 5th and Albon no higher than 10th. In this scenario it would be tied on points, 74-74, but the Iberian would have the advantage on the podium, where he leads Albon 2-0.

Given Sainz's recent form, 5th in Las Vegas, 3rd in Qatar, who would bet against him?

Monza, on September 7,it is the last Grand Prix in which Albon scored

Are they ending the season with their heads held high?

For Yuki Tsunoda, what in theory would have been the perfect job turned into an ordeal. Since being promoted from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing in the third round of the season, the Japanese driver has accumulated just 30 points. In the same period, his colleague Max Verstappen achieved 360, 12 times more!

The way he handled himself behind the wheel of the Red Bull single-seater caused Tsunoda to lose his place in Formula 1. The other day, Red Bull have announced that Isack Hadjar has been promoted instead of the Japanese, namely that Arvid Lindblad will pair with Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda remained in the reserve driver role at Red Bull Racing and announced that “I am determined to work even harder as a reserve and test driver to prove that I deserve a place on the grid”.

An ideal start in this regard would be an encouraging performance in Abu Dhabi. If he helps Max Verstappen to crown himself champion, surely his chances of returning to Formula 1 would skyrocket.

Another personal bet would be not to finish the season with the lowest number of points of all Red Bull drivers. He currently has 33 – Liam Lawson (38), Isack Hadjar (51) and Max Verstappen (396) are all over.

Who will get more money?

The battles for a better place in the constructors' ranking are also interesting. These are Mercedes (459 points) – Red Bull Racing (426) for second place, respectively Racing Bulls (92) – Aston Martin (80) – Haas (73) – Kick Sauber (68) for places 6-7.

A better seat means more money – so what will happen below the top of the peloton also remains to be seen.