Post by : Maya Rahman

As the Formula One circuit descends upon Qatar this weekend, Lando Norris finds himself tantalizingly close to claiming his maiden world championship. With a stellar season showcasing remarkable performances and strategic victories, the McLaren star is just a few crucial points away from his competitive dream. With two races left in the 2025 calendar, every point is pivotal, and the competition against Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen has reached fever pitch.

Norris enters Doha with a commanding 24-point lead over both Piastri and Verstappen. While this puts him in a favorable position, caution is still warranted. The remaining two weekends offer a maximum of 58 points on the table—with the sprint race awarding 8 points and each Grand Prix offering 25 points, including this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi's final showdown next week.

While the title remains up for grabs, Norris’s performance places him on the path to potentially seal the championship by the end of this weekend.

The simple answer is no. Winning Saturday’s sprint race while both rivals finish off the podium would prop up his lead to 32 points, yet 50 points remain available for grabs across the final two races. Hence, the decision cannot be made based solely on Saturday’s sprint.

Sunday presents a favorable opportunity for Norris to clinch the title. If he manages to outscore both Piastri and Verstappen by two points over the weekend, he will emerge from Qatar as the new champion, holding a 26-point advantage—one point beyond the maximum available in Abu Dhabi, ensuring his lead remains unassailable.

Should Norris fail to secure victory on Sunday, he can still achieve championship glory if he finishes ahead of his main competitors. Alternatively, even a single-point win would suffice to claim the crown.

If the championship remains tightly contested, Norris finds comfort in his race wins. With eight victories this season, compared to Piastri's seven and Verstappen's six, he retains a significant advantage should the title hinge on countback.

Should Piastri edge out in Abu Dhabi while tying wins with Norris, the latter's additional second-place finishes would keep him in front. Verstappen would be unable to contend owing to fewer overall wins.

McLaren is hopeful that their frustrating disqualification in Las Vegas will not hinder their momentum. They are confident that Norris can maintain his strong performance in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. With the championship so close, they are eager to validate the saying: “what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas.”

If Norris stays composed and delivers consistent results, he is set to achieve the championship that he has diligently pursued.

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