Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Nov 28: Lando Norris carries a comfortable lead into the penultimate Formula 1 weekend in Qatar, keeping him within touching distance of the first world title of his career. The McLaren star sits 24 points ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull ace Max Verstappen, whose late-season surge has reopened the championship fight.
Verstappen, with 69 career wins and chasing a fifth straight crown, benefitted from the disqualification of both McLaren cars after the Las Vegas Grand Prix — stripping Norris of 18 points and Piastri of 12. The Dutch driver won the race and continues to apply pressure heading into Qatar, where he has won the last two editions.
Norris, however, remains unfazed. He said losing the points “hurt” but admitted it was surprisingly easy to move on. “I feel as relaxed as I was before when I was 35 points behind Piastri,” the 26-year-old Briton said. “That’s my strength for now.”
A total of 33 points are up for grabs this weekend, plus eight from Saturday’s sprint. Norris will seal the championship if he outscores Verstappen and Piastri by at least two points across the weekend.
Strategy will be tricky due to mandatory two-stop rules at the Lusail International Circuit, with Pirelli limiting tyres to 25 laps in the 57-lap race. While Piastri remains mathematically in contention, he admitted his chances are slim — he has not stood on the podium in six races.
The weekend began with afternoon practice followed by evening sprint qualifying, setting the stage for a tense finale stretch, with Abu Dhabi to follow next Sunday.
Away from the title battle, Ferrari faces mounting pressure after critical remarks from chairman John Elkann. Lewis Hamilton, enduring a difficult first season with the team, has only one sprint win to his name and no Grand Prix victories. His Monaco teammate Charles Leclerc leads him comfortably in points, podiums and consistency.
As the grid prepares for the Qatar challenge, all eyes are on Norris — and whether Verstappen’s late charge can deny him a historic maiden title.