Lando Norris and Max Verstappen could end the F1 season tied on points in Abu Dhabi, but only one driver will be crowned champion.
Verstappen continued his unlikely championship charge in Qatar, taking victory after McLaren botched the strategy of both driver Oscar Piastri and Norris.
The McLaren duo were the only two cars who stayed out during the early safety car, putting the Papaya team majorly on the back foot despite leading the race one and two.
Norris himself questioned the decision over team radio, asking: ‘we should have just followed them in no?’
Verstappen’s victory puts him just 12 points behind Norris heading into Abu Dhabi, a gap which would have been 10 if Kimi Antonelli’s penultimate lap mistake hadn’t handed the Brit fourth.
Piastri meanwhile cut the gap to 16 points, however, the Australian appeared furious with his team as the strategy blunder cost him seven points.
Norris’ fourth place finish in Qatar means as long as he makes the podium in Abu Dhabi, he will guarantee himself the world championship.
The 26-year-old can still win the title in fourth, as long as Verstappen finishes second or lower.
All three F1 title contenders in Qatar (credit: getty)
Who will win if Verstappen and Norris end level on points
With the gap the smallest it’s been all season, there is a small but very real chance the leading two could be tied on points at the chequered flag, but they won’t both become world champion.
In that unlikely event the FIA will turn to their countback system, similar to goal difference in football.
However, both Norris and Verstappen sit on seven grand prix wins each, meaning the title would be decided on the driver with the most second place finishes, which Norris leads 8-5.
Following the race in Qatar, Verstappen was quizzed on his chances at a fifth world championship.
“It’s possible now but we will see. I don’t really worry about it too much,” the Dutchman said.
He added: “This was an incredible race for us, we made the right call as a team to box under that safety car and yeah that was smart.
“Super happy to win here, we stayed in the fight until the end. Incredible.”
