Lando Norris heads into Formula One's season finale in Abu Dhabi holding a 12-point lead over Max Verstappen in a three-way championship showdown. The British driver needs just a third-place finish in Sunday's 58-lap race to secure his first world title, while Verstappen chases a fifth crown and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri remains mathematically in contention, 16 points behind Norris.
The contrasting mentalities of the two leading contenders emerged clearly at Thursday's pre-race press conference. Norris acknowledged the pressure of his leading position but embraced a resilient outlook: «I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I'm the one at the top. I'll do my best to stay there for another few days. But if it doesn't go my way, I will try again next year. It will hurt for a little while but that's life and I'll crack on and try and do better again next season.»
For Norris, the championship represents a lifelong dream. «This has been my whole life and everything I have worked towards for my whole life,» the seventh-season driver said. «It would mean the world to me and everyone who has supported me and pushed me for the last 16 years in terms of trying to get to this point. It would mean that my life until now has been a success, and I have accomplished that dream I had as a kid.»
Verstappen projected a markedly relaxed demeanour, emphasizing his four existing titles. «The trophy looks the same. I have four of those at home, so it's nice to add a fifth,» the Red Bull driver said. «I've already achieved all that I wanted to achieve in F1, and everything else is just a bonus. I just keep doing it because I love it and I enjoy it. I'm very relaxed, I have nothing to lose, and I'm just enjoying being here.»
Team orders question
Norris ruled out asking Piastri to cede position during the race, despite such a scenario potentially being his only path to overcome Verstappen. «I'm not going to ask it, I don't want to ask it because I don't think it's necessarily a fair question,» Norris said. «At the same time if that's how it ends and Max wins, then well. That's it. Congrats to him and look forward to next year. It doesn't change anything. It doesn't change my life. He will deserve it over us.»
Mercedes driver George Russell weighed in on the debate, suggesting Piastri should «unplug the radio in his car» to avoid team orders. «I think it would be unfair for either driver to give (up) places. If Max wins, he deserves to win. I wouldn't want to win a championship because my teammate has pulled over, especially if he's been my rival that year.»
McLaren principal Andrea Stella indicated the team's racing approach would remain consistent, though internal discussions would occur during the week. «What's important for us is that we are in condition to beat Verstappen with one of our two drivers,» Stella said after the Qatar Grand Prix.
Piastri's practice setback
Piastri will miss Friday's Free Practice 1 session due to a Formula One rule requiring teams to field a rookie driver in two FP1 sessions per car each season. IndyCar star Pato O'Ward, McLaren's test and reserve driver, will replace the Australian for the session. This marks the second and final mandatory rookie session for Piastri's car in 2025.
The timing proves inconvenient given the championship stakes, potentially disadvantaging Piastri through lost track time at the Yas Marina Circuit. He will participate in FP2, FP3, qualifying and the race itself.
McLaren has already secured the constructors' championship and aims to complete a double title triumph for the first time since 1998. Verstappen won his maiden championship at this same circuit in a controversial 2021 title decider.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
