F1 Fans Predict Lando Norris Will Not Win Qatar Title
F1 fans largely predict Lando Norris will not clinch the world championship at the Qatar Grand Prix, despite it being his first mathematical chance. His recent Las Vegas disqualification tightened the points battle, bringing Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri within striking distance. A recent poll shows over 70% of fans expect the title fight to go to the final race, setting up a thrilling end to the season.
An overwhelming majority of F1 fans do not believe Lando Norris will clinch the world championship title at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix, despite having his first mathematical chance to unseat Max Verstappen. The sentiment follows a dramatic disqualification for Norris at the Las Vegas GP, which significantly altered the championship standings.
Why it matters:
- The championship battle has intensified significantly after Norris's disqualification from second place in Las Vegas, costing him crucial points.
- This unexpected turn has brought Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri much closer in points, setting up a potentially thrilling finale to the 2024 season.
- Fan predictions highlight the perceived difficulty for Norris to secure the title in Qatar, emphasizing the long-shot nature of such an outcome given the current points situation and Verstappen's strong form.
The details:
- Points Shift: Following his Las Vegas DSQ, Norris lost 7 points, and Verstappen effectively gained 25, narrowing the gap to just 24 points (Verstappen 390, Norris 366).
- Three-Way Tie: Oscar Piastri's similar disqualification means he is now tied with Verstappen at 366 points, making it a three-way battle at the top.
- Qatar Scenario: Norris cannot win the title in the Sprint race alone as he needs a 50-point lead after Saturday, but can only gain a maximum of 32 points from the Sprint and main race combined.
- Championship Condition: To be crowned champion in Qatar, Norris must outscore both Piastri and Verstappen by at least two points, ensuring he holds a minimum 25-point lead heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.
- Fan Poll Results: A RacingNews365 poll revealed that 71.98% of voters expect the championship to go down to the final race, a scenario not seen since 2021.
- Of these, 35.59% predict a three-way finale, similar to 2010.
- Another 34.69% believe Piastri will drop out, leaving a Norris-Verstappen showdown.
- Norris Title Odds: Only 28.02% of voters believe Norris will leave Qatar as the world champion.
What's next:
- The Qatar Grand Prix will be a crucial turning point, either solidifying Verstappen's charge or providing Norris with a critical opportunity to reclaim momentum.
- Should the championship go down to the wire, F1 fans are anticipating one of the most exciting season finales in recent memory, potentially rekindling the kind of drama seen in 2021 or even a three-way fight reminiscent of 2010.
- All eyes will be on the Lusail Circuit to see if Norris can defy fan expectations and secure his maiden title, or if the championship will indeed head to Abu Dhabi for a dramatic conclusion.