The thrilling end to the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has taken yet another dramatic twist. The double disqualification of the McLaren drivers after the Las Vegas Grand Prix slashed Lando Norris’ championship lead by half, dropping his advantage over Max Verstappen from 49 points to just 24 after the Red Bull star claimed victory under the desert lights.
And it gets even tighter: Oscar Piastri is now level on points with Verstappen — both sitting 24 points behind Norris heading into Qatar.
Following the penalty, the standings now read:
- Lando Norris — 390 points
- Max Verstappen — 366 points
- Oscar Piastri — 366 points
Qatar Could Seal It — But Only on Sunday
The Qatar Grand Prix offers a maximum of 33 points, thanks to both the Sprint and the main race. Abu Dhabi, the final round, offers the standard 25.
With a 24-point lead, Norris can win the world championship one race early — IF he scores just 2 more points than Verstappen and Piastri in Qatar.
That’s all he needs.
- Gain +2 points over both rivals → Norris becomes World Champion in Qatar
- Enter Abu Dhabi with a 26-point gap → Title mathematically over
Crucially, the championship cannot be decided in the Qatar Sprint alone.
But depending on sprint results, a Sunday victory may be enough for Norris to clinch the crown.
A Title Fight on a Knife’s Edge
After Las Vegas turned the championship upside down, the battle for the 2025 crown now hangs on the smallest of margins. Norris still controls his destiny — but one wrong move could blow the title fight wide open for Verstappen or Piastri.
Everything now points to a high-stakes showdown in Qatar… and the possibility of a champion being crowned one round early.
Two points. One race weekend. Three title contenders.
The 2025 championship is going down to the wire.
