These F1 finals where the second contender triumphed over the leader

The 2025 season of F1 It's drawing to a close, yet nothing is decided. Three men remain in contention for the title: Lando Norris, championship leader after his victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, Max Verstappen et Oscar piastri, who dominated the dance for most of the season before being dethroned by his teammate.

Max Verstappen trails the Briton by 12 points, but he has proven that he should never be ruled out. The Dutchman staged an unprecedented comeback, overcoming a 104-point deficit after the Dutch Grand Prix to fully rejoin the competition. Although he already has four trophies on home soil, as he joked in the Abu Dhabi press conference, a fifth would certainly be welcome.

Even if Lando Norris starts with a significant lead over Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion can still hope to clinch the title if he wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Lando Norris finishes fourth, if he finishes second ahead of Lando Norris (eighth at best) and Oscar Piastri only manages third, or if he finishes third, Oscar Piastri doesn't win, and Lando Norris finishes ninth at best. This type of improbable turnaround, where the underdog takes the championship, is not unprecedented in the 75-year history of Formula 1.

ALSO READ > Norris, Verstappen, Piastri: all the possible scenarios for the F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi

The Story of Victorious Challengers

1964: John Surtees crowned against all odds

In 1964, Graham Hill, John Surtees, and Jim Clark formed an all-British top three heading into the final race of the season. While leading the race, Clark was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue. The title should have gone to Hill, but the BRM driver had been slowed by contact with the other driver. Classic Ferrari for sale Lorenzo Bandini, incidentally teammate of his rival Surtees. It was ultimately John Surtees, who was 4 points behind according to the old points system before the race, who was crowned champion.

1976: James Hunt wins despite Niki Lauda's heroic comeback

Twelve years later, Niki Lauda and James Hunt were battling for the title the year of the Austrian's spectacular accident. While he seemed poised to dominate the 1976 season – leading Jody Scheckter by 31 points and James Hunt by 35 before the German Grand Prix – Lauda's momentum was abruptly halted. On the Nordschleife circuit of the Nürburgring, Niki Lauda lost control of his Ferrari. The car immediately burst into flames, and the driver remained trapped inside for over 40 seconds.

Despite the extent of his injuries, the Austrian returned to the paddock 37 days later. James Hunt, however, had taken advantage of his rival's absence to climb up the standings. The two men thus entered the final race with Lauda in the lead, 3 points ahead of Hunt. In the rain in Japan, Niki Lauda took no risks, however, retiring from the race after the second lap. James Hunt, finishing third, won the championship by one point over his rival.

1986: Alain Prost, the opportunist

In 1986, three contenders vied for the title ahead of the final in Australia: Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet, in a tie for second place. The title seemed destined for the Briton, who needed only a podium finish to clinch it. However, on lap 19 of the final, his right rear tire exploded, ending the driver's hopes. WilliamsAlain Prost took advantage of the situation to win, while Piquet, beaten by the Frenchman, failed in the race for the title.

1997: The accident between Schumacher and Villeneuve

The following decade saw two similar outcomes in F1. In 1997, Michael Schumacher He was the favorite going into the final race at Jerez in Spain. Jacques Villeneuve was right behind him, just one point behind. A collision between the German and the Canadian on lap 48 ultimately cost Schumacher the title and handed it to Villeneuve. The Ferrari driver was subsequently disqualified for his deliberately dangerous maneuver against the Williams driver.

1999: Irvine misses the chance of a lifetime

While his teammate Michael Schumacher appeared to be a genuine title contender in 1999, Eddie Irvine was forced to replace him in the battle against Mika Häkkinen when the German broke his leg in an accident during the British Grand Prix. After a chaotic season marked by numerous incidents, Irvine went into the final race in Japan with a four-point lead over the Finn. Following a qualifying crash by the leader, it was ultimately Mika Häkkinen who won the race from pole position, securing the title and his second Formula 1 championship.

Will Max Verstappen make history in the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, December 7th?

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