Four years on from the chaos and controversy of Abu Dhabi 2021, Formula One once again finds itself hurtling toward a season-defining showdown. But this time, the script is very different.
Max Verstappen, now accustomed to sealing titles with races to spare, arrives at the finale flanked on both sides by McLaren challengers. Lando Norris leads the standings, Oscar Piastri lurks just behind, and for the first time in years, Verstappen is the hunter rather than the runaway champion.
It’s the kind of high-stakes, three-way fight that the F1 last witnessed in 2010, when Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, and Sebastian Vettel—the eventual winner—were firmly in contention ahead of the last race. Jenson Button, who witnessed that historic title race in Abu Dhabi as a competitor, knows exactly how pressure can twist a season’s final chapter. “It was an incredible title showdown in Abu Dhabi,” Button told select media ahead of Sunday’s finale.
“Sebastian was third behind his teammate Mark Webber and a long way behind Fernando Alonso. So it just shows you how much can change in this race. If you can deal with that pressure in the right way, there’s a lot to win and lose,” said the 2009 F1 champion.
As someone who has defended a championship lead, Button stressed how challenging the pressure can be in the front. “It’s very easy to think, ‘Just take it easy, don’t make mistakes.’ But the moment you start driving like that, that’s when mistakes happen,” he said.
“What Lando’s done in the second part of this year has been impressive. At the start of the season, it seemed like he was feeling the pressure, making mistakes, and not performing at his best,” the Briton said, referring to Norris trailing his teammate earlier on.
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“But he’s been able to get through all that, the mental side of things. You can see that in his consistency, especially compared to his teammate.”
However, Button acknowledges that the real test will come when Norris faces off against the defending champion in the final race. “When you go up against someone like Max, it’s a different beast altogether. And we still see in close combat, like in (Las) Vegas, that Lando still can’t take on Max.
“But he doesn’t have to,” said Button, as Norris holds a slender 12-point advantage. “If he’s quick enough to be in the top three in qualifying, he’s just got to get through that turn one, and then the race will come to him. So, it is definitely Lando’s to lose.”
With both McLaren drivers in contention, the dynamics within the team have sparked plenty of debate. But Button insisted that McLaren’s philosophy of fairness, despite the occasional hiccup, has been the right one.
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“I hate the idea of the number one driver and the number two driver. It doesn’t have a place in the sport,” said the former McLaren driver. “If you can win a championship like McLaren and try to give both drivers the same opportunity, it’s the best. So, I like the way that they’re going into this last race,” the 15-time Grand Prix winner added.
Button also felt that if Piastri finds himself in a position to help Norris win, the team game should take precedence. “If he wants to be driving for McLaren over the next couple of years, yes. It’s a tough one. But the reason for his being in this position is that he hasn’t done a good enough job over the last few races.
“So, if you’re asked to help your teammate, you’ve got to do it. It’s a team sport. You want that team behind you if you’re fighting for a championship in the future. It’s tough, but it’s part of the job,” said Button.
(Formula 1 will be broadcast LIVE on FanCode in India)
Published on Dec 06, 2025
