F1 Title Race Reignited: Norris Leads by 24 Points After Vegas DQs

The battle for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has been thrown wide open after a dramatic and controversial conclusion to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale in Qatar.

Las Vegas Drama Reshapes Title Fight

What seemed like a successful weekend for McLaren in Las Vegas turned into a nightmare. Lando Norris crossed the line in second place, appearing to extend his championship lead over teammate Oscar Piastri. However, in a stunning post-race twist, both McLaren cars were disqualified for excessive skid plank wear, with the thickness on both cars falling below the mandatory 9mm threshold.

This decision completely overturned the race results. The victory was handed to Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who now finds himself right back in the hunt for a remarkable fifth world title. The disqualification means Norris's lead has been slashed to just 24 points, with his teammate Piastri and Verstappen now level on points behind him.

The Qatar Grand Prix Showdown

All eyes now turn to the Lusail International Circuit for the penultimate round of the season. With a maximum of 33 points available in Qatar alone, including a Sprint race, the championship is far from decided.

Lando Norris remains the favourite, but his path to a first world title is now more precarious. He requires 35 points from the final two races to guarantee the championship, meaning he can no longer afford significant setbacks.

Here is the complete schedule for the Qatar Grand Prix weekend (all times GMT):

Friday 28 November: Free Practice 1: 1:30pm | Sprint Qualifying: 5:30pm
Saturday 29 November: Sprint Race: 2pm | Qualifying: 6pm
Sunday 30 November: Race: 4pm

How to Watch the Qatar GP

For viewers in the United Kingdom, the Qatar Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Coverage of the main race on Sunday begins at 2:30pm GMT. Sky Sports subscribers can stream the action via the Sky Go app. Those without a subscription can purchase a NOWTV Day Pass for access.

For fans travelling abroad, a VPN may be required to access streaming services.

F1 Standings Heading into the Final Stretch

The driver and constructor standings paint a clear picture of the intense battle ahead. While McLaren has already secured the constructors' championship, the drivers' title remains fiercely contested.

F1 Driver Standings: