The 2025 Formula 1 season reaches a breathtaking climax this weekend as Britain's Lando Norris stands on the precipice of securing his maiden world championship crown. The McLaren driver has his first match point at the Qatar Grand Prix, setting the stage for a nerve-shredding Sunday under the Losail lights.
McLaren Teammates Locked in Title Tussle After Qatar Sprint
The championship picture sharpened after Saturday's sprint race, where Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, claimed a commanding victory from pole position. This marked the Australian's first win in any session since the Dutch Grand Prix back in August. Norris secured a solid third place, with Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen crossing the line in fourth.
This result means Norris heads into the main Grand Prix with a 22-point lead over Piastri and a 25-point advantage over Verstappen. The stage is perfectly set for a dramatic title decider in the Middle East.
How Lando Norris Can Be Crowned F1 Champion in Qatar
Norris will lift the coveted trophy on Sunday if he can leave Qatar with a lead of 26 points or more over his rivals. Given the current standings, this means he must outscore Piastri by four points and needs to be just a single point ahead of Verstappen.
With full Grand Prix points awarded to the top ten finishers on a scale of 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1, the simplest path to glory is clear: victory for Lando Norris will make him the Formula 1 World Champion.
However, the permutations run deeper. Should he not win the race, Norris can still secure the title based on his rivals' results. The full list of scenarios where Norris becomes champion is:
- He finishes second and Piastri is fourth or lower and Verstappen doesn't win.
- He finishes third and Piastri is fifth or lower and Verstappen is fourth or lower.
- He finishes fourth and Piastri is sixth or lower and Verstappen is fifth or lower.
- He finishes fifth and Piastri is seventh or lower and Verstappen is sixth or lower.
- He finishes sixth and Piastri is eighth or lower and Verstappen is seventh or lower.
- He finishes seventh and Piastri is ninth or lower and Verstappen is eighth or lower.
- He finishes eighth and Piastri doesn't score and Verstappen is ninth or lower.
What Happens if the Title Battle Goes to Abu Dhabi?
Should Norris fail to secure the necessary points advantage in Qatar, the championship fight will roll on to a final, nail-biting showdown at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7th. In the event of a tie on points at the season's end, the title would be decided by who has the most race wins. Currently, Norris and Piastri are tied on seven wins each, with Verstappen on six, adding another layer of intrigue.
British fans can catch all the action from the Qatar Grand Prix live on Sky Sports, with highlights available on Channel 4. The main race begins at 16:00 GMT on Sunday, November 30th.
