It has been three months since Oscar Piastri got the better of Lando Norris in any race format. But even though he cut the gap to his McLaren team-mate to 22 points with victory in the sprint race in Qatar yesterday, Norris now knows that victory in today’s grand prix will seal his first world title.
The Dutch Grand Prix in August was the last time Piastri crossed the line in front of Norris. Could yesterday presage a twist in the tale of an exciting battle for the world drivers’ championship?
Norris arrived in Qatar knowing that third place in the sprint and in today’s grand prix as well as in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next week would be sufficient to make him Britain’s 11th world F1 champion. He did finish third in the sprint, behind Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell, with his other title rival, Max Verstappen, behind him in fourth. It was a much needed boost for McLaren after their double disqualification last weekend in Las Vegas, from which, says principal Andrea Stella, the team have emerged even stronger.
But it also simplified the equation for Norris, who will win the title if he finishes today’s race 26 points ahead of Piastri and Verstappen.
After taking the victory, Piastri said: “Nice to be back. It’s been a good weekend so far. Everything went smoothly in the sprint there. Happy with how it’s been so far. I just need to keep it rolling.”
Verstappen had endured a difficult qualifying for the sprint race, complaining of bouncing at the wheel of his RB21 and ended sixth quickest. He made up two places at the start, including one on team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, but at a track renowned for the difficulty of overtaking, he could get no higher. Initially, he threatened to challenge Norris for a podium place but that tailed off as the porpoising once again re-emerged and he had to make do with fourth.
The frustration from the Dutchman was abundantly clear over the team radio and, now 25 points behind Norris, he knows he has to get the better of him today to take his championship challenge to the season finale.
“It’s been difficult so far,” said Verstappen. “The start was good and the first three laps I just pushed a bit more knowing that passing was tough. We need to try to get rid of the bouncing, jumping.”
The start aside, the 19-lap race was a procession for Piastri and those trailing behind him, and does not necessarily bode well for a captivating grand prix today.
That said, there are a mandatory two stops in the race and there have been concerns from supplier Pirelli over gravel cuts in the tyres during this weekend, with fears over possible punctures.
It proved another dire outing for Lewis Hamilton, who bowed out in Q1 in qualifying and could cross the line only in 17th place.
Photograph by Clive Mason/Getty Images