Norris 'Still Happy' with Title Position Despite Qatar Setback

Lando Norris remains confident about his championship prospects heading into the Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, despite a challenging weekend in Qatar that saw his lead shrink. The McLaren driver, who failed to secure his maiden title at the Lusail International Circuit, is now 12 points clear of Max Verstappen and 16 points ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

Why it matters:

After a strong run of performances, including back-to-back wins, Norris had built a significant lead. However, a disqualification in Las Vegas and a subdued performance in Qatar have brought his rivals closer, setting up a thrilling three-way championship decider in Abu Dhabi. This final race will test Norris's resilience and McLaren's strategic capabilities under immense pressure.

The details:

• Qatar Performance: Norris finished third in the Sprint and fourth in the main race, losing ground to both Verstappen and Piastri. He admitted it wasn't his "finest weekend" in terms of driving and execution.
• Championship Standings: Heading into Abu Dhabi, Norris leads with a 12-point advantage over Verstappen and a 16-point lead over Piastri.
• Las Vegas Disqualification: Both McLarens were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to plank-wear infringements, costing Norris valuable points and a potential second-place finish.
• Qatar Strategy Call: McLaren opted not to pit either car under an early Safety Car. While Norris acknowledged it wasn't an optimal decision, he noted it affected both him and Piastri, suggesting it didn't solely disadvantage him. He plans to review the decision with the team.
• Driver Errors: Norris also admitted to making personal errors during the Qatar Sprint weekend, failing to maximize qualifying performance and being overtaken by Verstappen at the start of the main race.
• Mindset for Abu Dhabi: Despite Verstappen's challenge, Norris insists his approach for the final race will be the same: "I try and beat them, they try and beat me. It's nothing different."

What's next:

The 2025 F1 season concludes with the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. All eyes will be on Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri as they battle for the championship. McLaren will need to deliver a flawless strategic performance, and Norris will aim to rediscover the form that brought him two consecutive wins earlier in the season to secure his first F1 title.