How Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen can win F1 title in Abu Dhabi
Max Verstappen’s victory in the Qatar Grand Prix means the three-way F1 championship battle goes down to the final lap – here is how all three can win the title
Max Verstappen’s victory in the Qatar Grand Prix means the F1 Drivers’ Championship battle goes to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
On a weekend where Lando Norris could have won the title, the Brit endured a nightmare weekend to allow his championship rivals back into the fight. Outscored by Verstappen and Oscar Piastri across Saturday’s Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix, Norris’ lead has been eaten into.
Verstappen took the race victory from third on the grid after he passed Norris in the opening corner before a McLaren blunder on lap seven after the safety car deployed following Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly’s contact, gave Verstappen the advantage over Piastri.
Piastri was unable to fight back against Verstappen’s dominant lead following the safety car mistake but was able to come home second. Williams’ Carlos Sainz scored his second podium of the season.
Norris’ nightmare weekend was gifted some light at the end as he was able to overtake Kimi Antonelli on the final lap to finish fourth after the Mercedes rookie had run wide.
McLaren’s double disqualification in Las Vegas due to excessive plank wear allowed Verstappen back into the championship, and the Dutchman has taken his chance to continue his fight.
The four-time Red Bull world champion scored 25 points to close his gap to Norris to just 12 points. Piastri’s second place finish saw the Australian score 18 points and cut his gap to his team-mate to 14 points.
How Lando Norris will win the title
Heading into Abu Dhabi, Norris tops the standings on 408 points, Verstappen in second on 396 points and Piastri in third on 392 points.
With Verstappen his closest challenge, if Norris finishes in the top three, he will win the championship regardless of where his two rivals finish.
How Max Verstappen will win the title
If Norris finishes on the podium, Verstappen is unable to win the title, but if the Brit finishes fourth, then Verstappen must win in Abu Dhabi to win a fifth successive title.
If Norris finishes 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th, then Verstappen needs to win the race. If Norris finishes 8th, Verstappen can come 2nd. But if Norris finishes 9th or lower, Verstappen only needs to finish 3rd.
If Norris finishes outside of the points, Verstappen can win the title if he finishes 4th, but Piastri doesn’t finish ahead of him. Verstappen cannot win the title in fifth or below.
However, with Piastri just two points behind the Dutchman in the championship, Verstappen would need to ensure Piastri doesn’t win the race if Norris finishes 8th, or 1st or 2nd if Norris finishes 9th or lower.
How Oscar Piastri will win the title
Piastri will need to win in Abu Dhabi and Norris finishes 6th or below to be crowned world champ, regardless of Verstappen’s finish.
However, if Piastri finishes 2nd, he will have to hope his team-mate finishes 9th or lower and Verstappen doesn’t win the race.
If Piastri finishes 3rd and ahead of Verstappen, and Norris finishes 10th or lower, he will win the title.
Piastri cannot win the title if he finishes off the podium.
