Championship leader Lando Norris arrives in Qatar for this weekend’s Grand Prix with a chance to secure his maiden world title, despite a dramatic disqualification in Las Vegas that has tightened the race. After finishing second on the road, Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri were both disqualified for excessive skid-block wear, a setback that has intensified the pressure from a resurgent Max Verstappen.
Las Vegas Disqualification Narrows Points Gap
Norris’s hopes of extending his championship lead took a significant hit following the post-race checks in Las Vegas. The disqualification nullified his second-place finish, narrowing his advantage over both Piastri and Red Bull’s Verstappen.
Despite the blow, Norris still holds a 24-point cushion at the top of the standings. With a maximum of 58 points available from the final two race weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the title remains his to lose. The addition of a Sprint race in Qatar this Saturday adds another layer of complexity and opportunity.
Title-Clinching Scenarios
To seal the championship this weekend, Norris must end the Qatar Grand Prix with a lead of 26 points or more over his rivals. Simply outscoring both Piastri and Verstappen by a combined two points over the entire weekend would be sufficient. Even a Sprint race victory, with his rivals failing to score, would extend his lead to 32 points with only 50 remaining.
Norris Focused on Victory, Not Defence
Before tackling the high-pressure weekend, the McLaren driver plans to unwind. “I look forward to Qatar. I look forward to getting somewhere warm and just go play some golf, go play some padel for a few days,” Norris said.
When asked if the disqualification in Las Vegas would change his approach, Norris insisted he would not adopt a conservative strategy. “I treat it the same. I treat it like I want to go and win,” he stated. “My goal is to win both races to the end of the season, and the Sprint as well. So I’ll try and win all three.”
Verstappen’s Late-Season Charge
While Norris aims to relax, an in-form Max Verstappen is chasing a fifth consecutive world championship. Since his victory in Austin last month, the Dutchman has cut his deficit to the championship leader by 64 points across four races. His win in Las Vegas was his sixth of the season and fourth in the last seven events.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised his driver’s recent performances. “In terms of driving and what he does, I think he’s as good or better than everything we have seen,” Mekies said. “Now that he’s able to fight again for the win, he produces masterclass after masterclass.”
A Different Challenge at Lusail
The high-speed Lusail International Circuit, a stark contrast to the Las Vegas street track, adds further intrigue. The 5.419km circuit is dominated by medium and high-speed corners, with a one-kilometre main straight providing the best overtaking opportunity. Tyre management will be critical, with Pirelli limiting tyre sets to 25 laps due to the extreme loads generated by the fast corners, a key factor for teams and fans to consider as outlined in the spectators’ guidelines for Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025.
Verstappen, who won both previous races held in Qatar, will see the track as an ideal place to apply more pressure. However, Mekies cautioned that the unique conditions demand a fresh start. “You can’t imagine a more different situation in Qatar compared to Las Vegas,” he said. “We will reset and try to nail the weekend.”
