Which F1 drivers’ championships went down to the final race?

After three years of the Formula One drivers’ champion being decided before the final race, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be witness to another last-gasp battle for the coveted title.

Three drivers remain in contention to be crowned the 76th F1 world champion — Lando Norris, defending champion Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Over the years, 31 Formula One world championships have gone down to the final race, with the most recent coming in 2021 when Max Verstappen edged Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.

Here are the last 10 instances of the title being decided in the final round

1984 – Niki Lauda (McLaren), Alain Prost (McLaren)

Winner: Niki Lauda

1986 – Alain Prost (McLaren), Nigel Mansell (Williams), Nelson Piquet (Williams)

Winner: Alain Prost

1994 – Michael Schumacher (Benetton), Damon Hill (Williams)

Winner: Michael Schumacher

1997 – Jacques Villeneuve (Williams), Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

Winner: Jacques Villeneuve

2007 – Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Fernando Alonso (McLaren)

Winner: Kimi Räikkönen

2008 – Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

Winner: Lewis Hamilton

2010 – Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Mark Webber (Red Bull), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

Winner: Sebastian Vettel

2012 – Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)

Winner: Sebastian Vettel

2016 – Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Winner: Nico Rosberg

2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Winner: Max Verstappen

Published on Dec 07, 2025