McLaren’s Lando Norris leads the F1 standings by 12 points heading into the Abu Dhabi finale, needing a podium to clinch his maiden championship.
ABU DHABI: Lando Norris must conquer his nerves to secure a maiden Formula 1 world championship in a tense three-way showdown at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The McLaren driver holds a 12-point lead over Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and a 16-point advantage over teammate Oscar Piastri heading into Sunday’s decider.
Norris simply needs to finish on the podium to end Verstappen’s four-year reign as champion.
This marks the first multi-driver title fight at the final race since the four-way battle in Abu Dhabi back in 2010.
Recent weekends have been fraught with self-inflicted setbacks for the McLaren team, however, requiring an error-free event.
Both Norris and Piastri were disqualified in Las Vegas for illegal plank wear, while a botched pit-stop decision in Qatar gifted victory to Verstappen.
The Dutchman now carries significant momentum with five wins from his last eight races.
“On paper, it is Norris’s title to lose, but history shows anything can happen when the stakes are at their highest,” noted one observer.
Piastri, managed by former F1 driver Mark Webber, remains a genuine threat after showing outstanding pace in Qatar.
The Australian is bidding to become his country’s first champion since Alan Jones in 1980.
Verstappen, chasing a record-tying fifth consecutive title, has overturned a 104-point deficit since late August.
All three title contenders have won seven races each this season.
“We’ve had an incredible season with an incredible car and I am proud of everyone,” said Norris.
“We have one more race and we will give it everything.”
Piastri must win or finish second and rely on other results, while Verstappen must win and hope Norris finishes fourth or lower.
“I didn’t expect this, but I am still in it so we will give it our best shot,” said Verstappen.
The race also features a battle for second in the constructors’ championship between Mercedes and Red Bull.
It marks Yuki Tsunoda’s final race with Red Bull before being replaced by rookie Isack Hadjar.
For Lewis Hamilton, it is a final chance to end his first season without a podium finish. – AFP
