By Ben Langley
The final race of the season has arrived in Abu Dhabi, and for the first time since 2010, more than two drivers are in contention to win the championship. Lando Norris is the one to beat, sitting twelve points clear of Max Verstappen. Oscar Piastri’s championship hopes are slim but alive, sitting third and sixteen points adrift of Norris.
Norris requires only a podium finish to win his maiden championship, regardless of what the other two protagonists do. For Verstappen to win his fifth straight title, he would most likely need to win the Grand Prix and hope Norris fails to make the top three. Piastri’s maiden crown could only be achieved realistically with a victory for the Aussie coupled with Norris finishing 6th or below.
Title favourite Norris won this race last year, which clinched McLaren’s Constructors Championship title. This year, the pressure is on his shoulders for his personal achievement and claiming his maiden World Championship with a team he has been with since joining Formula 1. Many questioned how the Brit could deal with the pressure of a championship fight, but he has answered those critics by claiming dominant wins in Mexico and Brazil to place himself in a very strong position to seal the title. However, the double DSQ of Las Vegas and the botched strategy in Qatar means the points gap is smaller than it perhaps should be. However, with only a podium finish required, the smart money is on Norris to get it done.
Verstappen has been here many times before. With four championships to his name, the Dutchman is feeling relaxed heading into the season’s climax. Verstappen was as much as 104 points off the championship lead, but a combination of Red Bull’s improved performance and McLaren’s mistakes means the most improbable comeback could happen this weekend. Verstappen has enjoyed much success at this circuit, winning four times before. A fifth win could see him clinch his fifth world title.
Piastri looked the champion-elect after his seventh win of the season at Zandvoort, while Norris’ title hopes looked bleaker than ever after his engine failure. However, Piastri’s form has collapsed and is now the outsider to win the title heading into Abu Dhabi. His dominance in Qatar last time out couldn’t be converted to victory after McLaren’s strategy error which stretched the Aussie’s winless streak to eight races. However, Piastri remains in contention and if he shows the form of last weekend, he still has a chance.
It is clear then that Norris is the favourite, but based off recent weekends, anything can happen.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 