Post by : Mara Rahim
As the Formula One circus arrives in Qatar this weekend, Lando Norris is tantalizingly close to clinching his maiden world championship. Following a season marked by strong performances and essential victories, the McLaren driver stands on the threshold of glory. With only two races left in the 2025 season, every point holds immense significance, and the competitive struggle among Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen is at its peak.
Touching down in Doha, Norris boasts a commanding 24-point lead over both his teammate Piastri and the Red Bull ace Verstappen. This cushion provides a comforting buffer, yet the pressure remains; the last two weekends offer a total of 58 points up for grabs—with Saturday's sprint race rewarding eight points for the winner, alongside 25 for each of the two remaining Grand Prix events, including the crucial Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday and the title-deciding race in Abu Dhabi next week.
Despite this advantageous point structure, the championship remains highly competitive, though Norris holds the reins of his own destiny. His stellar performances throughout the season have set him up for a possible title victory as soon as this weekend.
However, the answer is a firm no. Even should Norris triumph in the sprint race on Saturday while both Piastri and Verstappen languish outside the scoring zone, his lead would swell to 32 points. Still, with 50 points left to be contested in the final two full-length races, a single weekend can't solidify the championship just yet.
Sunday presents Norris' genuine opportunity to wrap up the title. He needs to surpass Piastri and Verstappen by a margin of two points over the weekend to emerge as the new world champion, which would give him a comfortable 26-point lead—exactly one more than the maximum attainable in the Abu Dhabi race. In that scenario, he would be untouchable.
Even in the event of a non-victorious Sunday race, as long as he maintains a lead over his closest competitors by a narrow margin, Norris can still lay claim to the title. If he secures victory and outscores both rivals by merely one point, that too would be sufficient to seize the crown.
Should the championship remain within striking distance for a countback, Norris upholds a solid advantage. Entering Qatar with eight race victories to his name, compared to Piastri’s seven and Verstappen’s six, he can prevail even if he scores no points in the finale. If Piastri achieves victory at Abu Dhabi but ties on wins, Norris still comes out ahead thanks to more second-place finishes. Verstappen, with fewer wins, cannot outpace Norris via countback.
McLaren is hopeful that their previous double disqualification in Las Vegas won't impede their momentum. The team is confident that their strong form will carry through Qatar and Abu Dhabi, setting Norris up for a shot at victory. With the title so tantalizingly close, they'll be clinging to the adage—"what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas".
Provided he maintains composure and continues his steady scoring, Norris is well on his way to achieving the championship he has tirelessly pursued.
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