Abu Dhabi GP 2025 title decider: Fernando Alonso invokes his painful 2010 memory. Fernando Alonso warns that the F1 World Championship battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen is far from decided.

F1 | Norris or Verstappen? Alonso goes against the trend in the title fight: “Remember 2010?”

The battle for the 2025 World Championship might not be as predictable as many think. Fernando Alonso has reminded everyone of what happened to him during the dramatic Abu Dhabi finale of the 2010 season. While the paddock is split between those who believe Lando Norris will clinch the title and those backing Max Verstappen or Oscar Piastri, Alonso is going in the opposite direction: as far as he is concerned, nothing is settled.

For the first time in many years, several drivers are still in contention for the 2025 World Championship. Lando Norris arrived in Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead over his direct rival Max Verstappen. On paper, a podium would be enough for the McLaren driver to secure the crown. But is it really that straightforward?

Fifteen years ago, Alonso found himself in a very similar situation. The two-time world champion, who was a Ferrari driver at the time, reached the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with an 8-point margin over Mark Webber. Just behind him was former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, trailing by 15 points. Lewis Hamilton, considered the outsider, was 24 points behind.

A strategic misjudgment by Ferrari ultimately cost Fernando Alonso the title, handing the championship to Sebastian Vettel instead.

Reflecting on his own experience, the Aston Martin driver warned the paddock that Formula 1 is unpredictable. “The last time we had three drivers was 2010,” he told the media on Thursday in Abu Dhabi. “Making predictions is difficult. People always think that the driver ahead has an advantage because he has a certain margin in terms of results and can approach things more calmly, but F1 is unpredictable.”

The Spaniard then drew a comparison: “There was a safety car in 2010, and it was the wrong choice not to pit. Last week there was also a safety car, and it was again the wrong choice not to pit. But these things can happen in a Formula 1 race, so it’s not a guarantee. Not even if you’re leading the championship.”

While many of his colleagues seem inclined to favour Lando Norris over Max Verstappen and believe the McLaren driver has the upper hand, Fernando Alonso remains convinced that the 2025 title fight will be anything but predictable.