Australian driver Oscar Piastri has concluded the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship season on the podium following the final round of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Piastri finished the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in second aboard his McLaren, behind Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and in front of eventual Drivers’ Champion Lando Norris. 

On the season, Piastri’s points total would finish on 410 and third in the title race. Norris would edge outgoing champion Verstappen on 423 and 421 points respectively to claim his first career World Drivers’ Championship.

“I think it’s been a really enjoyable season for both Lando and I, and I’m saying that as the person who is not champion,” Piastri said. 

“I’ve learnt plenty of things along the way, I think even in the last three years I’ve learnt things every weekend from what Lando does and it’s nice to know it goes both ways. 

“There’s plenty more years to come of intense weekends and tight battles, but ultimately that has made both of us better drivers and in some ways has contributed to the success both of us have had this year.” 

Starting third on the grid behind Verstappen and Norris following a strong Qualifying session, Piastri passed his teammate on the opening lap in what was a clean start for the 23-year-old Australian.

Piastri, who began the session on the hard compound tyre, trailed Verstappen for the early portions of the race by a couple of seconds, before taking the race lead at the start of lap 25 with the latter coming in for his only pit stop. 

Piastri continued to lead into the second half of the race before Verstappen re-took the lead on lap 41. Piastri then came into pit later in the lap to fit a new medium tyre and emerged back on track in second in front of Norris. 

The Melbourne-raised driver drove well for the remainder of the race, but ultimately finished behind Verstappen in the race and thus ended Piastri’s chances of a World Drivers’ Championship after a terrific third year with ‘The Papaya’ squad.

Norris congratulated Piastri for his season post-race, which helped McLaren to a second Constructors’ Championship in a row. 

“I have to give a congrats to Oscar, he’s driven incredibly, and at some point he is going to get the better of me because he’s an incredible driver,” Norris said. 

“I’ve learned a lot, I’ve enjoyed it a lot, and I have a lot more seasons with him in the future.”

Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser praised Piastri for his performance throughout the season, and the lasting impact it will leave on the wider Australian motorsport community.    

“Even without the result we were all hoping for, Oscar has shown remarkable professionalism, agility and composure throughout the entire Formula One season,” Fraser said.   

“His performance this season has been exceptional, and his time to claim the title of World Champion will come. The rest of the world has seen what he can do in just his third season of Formula 1. 

“Australia’s motorsport community is incredibly proud of the way he continues to represent our nation on the world stage.”

Piastri will return to the Formula One grid in Melbourne at the season opening Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026 with McLaren on 6-8 March at the Albert Park Street Circuit.