5 of the closest title battles at the halfway stage

With Oscar Piastri leading Lando Norris by just eight points at the 2025 season's halfway mark, F1.com delves into past championship battles that were similarly tight at their midway stages. The article recounts several iconic seasons where a small points difference at the halfway point led to dramatic conclusions. From Jody Scheckter and Niki Lauda's 1977 duel to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's intense 2016 rivalry, and the nail-biting finishes of Alain Prost vs Nelson Piquet in 1983 and Lewis Hamilton vs Felipe Massa in 2008, history shows that a narrow lead is far from a guarantee. These captivating tales highlight how fortunes can shift, reminding fans that the 2025 title fight is truly wide open.