Title Race Reignited as Norris Faces Qatar Pressure
The 2025 Formula 1 championship battle has been dramatically reignited as the circus arrives in Qatar for the penultimate round of the season. Lando Norris's comfortable lead has been slashed to just 24 points following the shocking disqualification of both McLaren cars from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Norris had initially extended his championship advantage with a second-place finish in Vegas, only for both his and teammate Oscar Piastri's results to be wiped out due to excessive skid plank wear on their cars. The minimum thickness fell below the permitted 9mm threshold, handing race winner Max Verstappen a massive championship reprieve.
Three-Way Battle for Championship Glory
The revised standings create a tantalising scenario with just two races remaining. Norris now leads the drivers' championship with 390 points, while Piastri and Verstappen are tied on 366 points each. With 33 points available in Qatar this weekend alone, the title fight remains wide open.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has since revealed that "extensive porpoising" during the Vegas race was the primary cause of the disqualification. The vertical oscillations of the car led to excessive wear on the skid plank, costing the team crucial championship points.
Norris could still secure his maiden world title this weekend, but his path has become significantly more complicated. A victory in Sunday's grand prix would put him in a strong position, while two second-place finishes across Qatar and Abu Dhabi would also be sufficient regardless of his rivals' results.
Sprint Weekend Adds Extra Challenge
The Qatar Grand Prix represents the final sprint weekend of the 2025 season, adding another layer of complexity to the championship battle. The weekend format includes:
- Friday: Free Practice 1 (1:30pm GMT) followed by Sprint Qualifying (5:30pm GMT)
- Saturday: Sprint Race (2pm GMT) and Grand Prix Qualifying (6pm GMT)
- Sunday: Qatar Grand Prix (4pm GMT)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasised the challenges ahead, noting: "We have the added challenge of the Sprint format this weekend and an imposed usage limit on the tyres too. Making a solid start in FP1 will be key."
Meanwhile, the F1 world continues to react to the dramatic championship twist. 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has backed Verstappen to claim his fifth consecutive title, highlighting the Dutchman's experience in championship battles.
Constructor Championship Secured
Despite the drivers' championship drama, McLaren have already secured the constructors' title with 756 points, well clear of Mercedes on 431 points. Red Bull sit third in the constructors' standings with 391 points.
As the teams prepare for Friday's action at the Lusail International Circuit, all eyes will be on how Norris responds to the pressure and whether Verstappen can continue his late-season charge toward an unlikely fifth world championship.
