Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri are set for a blockbuster F1 title showdown in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Despite seeing an opportunity to win the championship last week in Qatar come and go, Norris remains the favourite to claim his maiden title, with a strong run of form in the backend of the season seeing him leap to the top of the standings.
But Verstappen has a more than realistic chance of claiming his fifth championship in a row, with the Red Bull star having mounted a sensational comeback having been over 100 points behind Piastri back in August.
Norris’ McLaren teammate will start the race as the outside bet of the three, with the Australian needing to finish above both of his rivals to snatch the title.
Here is what all three drivers need to do to win the F1 championship in the Middle East on Sunday.
F1 standings ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Norris currently sits on 408 points, twelve ahead of Verstappen in second on 396.
Piastri has 392 points to his name; 16 behind Norris and four adrift of Verstappen.
What Norris, Verstappen and Piastri must do to win the title
Norris heads into Sunday’s race knowing the title is very much in his hands.
A podium will be enough for Norris to clinch the title, regardless of what his title rivals can do.
A fourth or fifth-place finish will also hand him the championship, as long as Verstappen doesn’t win the race.
Verstappen will be the champion if he crosses the line first and Norris finishes fourth or lower.
Piastri, meanwhile, realistically needs to win the race and hope that Norris finishes sixth or lower, with Verstappen’s finishing position irrelevant in this scenario.
Piastri could also clinch the title with a second-place finish, but that would require Norris finishing tenth or lower, and Verstappen fourth or lower.
Should two or more drivers finish level on points, the tiebreak will be the driver who has won the most races this season.
Should that fail to produce a winner, the countback will go to the driver with the most second-place finishes, and so on.
All three drivers have seven wins apiece this season.
F1 points system
- 1st – 25 points
- 2nd – 18 points
- 3rd – 15 points
- 4th – 12 points
- 5th – 10 points
- 6th – 8 points
- 7th – 6 points
- 8th – 4 points
- 9th – 2 points
- 10th – 1 point
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix start time and how to watch
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will start at 1pm UK time on Sunday, December 7, and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
Highlights will be broadcast after the race on Channel 4 from 6pm.
Viewers with Sky Sports as part of their TV packagecan stream the race via its app. The F1 season is also available with unlimited Sky Sports on a Now TV membership.
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