F1 driver standings at the top as Max Verstappen closes in after controversial incident

Max Verstappen is hovering right over Lando Norris’ shoulder after the Qatar Grand Prix, with the F1 title battle now set to go down to the wire

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Everything you need to know about the Qatar Grand Prix and how it affected the fight for the F1 drivers’ championship.

• The outcome of the Qatar Grand Prix dramatically kept the 2025 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship title fight wide open. Heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri significantly closed the gap on championship leader Lando Norris .
• Max Verstappen was the biggest winner of the Grand Prix, securing his seventh race victory of the season with a decisive performance. This triumph was crucial, as it now puts him level with the two McLaren drivers in terms of total race wins this year, intensifying the competition.
• Oscar Piastri had a promising weekend by first winning the Sprint race , which helped him eat into Norris’s championship lead. The Australian driver then finished second in the main Grand Prix, further solidifying his position as a serious title contender.
• Lando Norris had a chance to secure the championship title before the final race, but ultimately finished fourth in the Grand Prix. The British driver acknowledged that it was “not our greatest weekend” in terms of his driving and the team’s overall execution.
• The McLaren team faced significant criticism for their strategy decisions during the main race, particularly the controversial choice not to pit under the Safety Car on lap seven. This critical error likely cost both Norris and Piastri a better result, leaving the drivers frustrated and disappointed.
• Despite his strong pace, Oscar Piastri finished second but was left feeling “speechless” and admitted the team “didn’t get it right with the strategy.” He felt his opportunity to win the Grand Prix slipped away due to the pit wall’s poorly timed calls.
• Verstappen praised his Red Bull team for making the “right call” to pit during the Safety Car period, which ultimately set up his Grand Prix victory. His experience as a former champion is now expected to be a major factor in the high-pressure, title-deciding finale.
• The updated standings show Lando Norris leading with 408 points, followed closely by Max Verstappen with 396 points and Oscar Piastri with 392 points. This means Norris must secure a top-three finish in the final Grand Prix to guarantee himself the coveted World Drivers’ Championship title.
• ALL THE LATEST F1 NEWS: Keep up to date with the nail-biting fight for the F1 drivers’ title here

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