There are only three races remaining in the 2025 Formula One season. There are three drivers who can still mathematically win the World Drivers' Championship, one of which is Great Britain’s Lando Norris. The 26-year-old has yet to win the Drivers' Championship but could this be his year?
Who is in Contention?
Norris is the man who leads the way as we enter the closing stages of the Formula One calendar. His success at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix means Norris has a 24 point lead over his McLaren-Mercedes teammate, Oscar Piastri. Norris picked up 25 points for winning the race in Brazil while Piastri was forced to settle for 5th place and 10 points. Many fans believe the championship is now between these two drivers and the best betting sites tend to agree, with Norris as the clear favorite, followed by Piastri in the betting.
However, there is another driver who is still mathematically in contention. Max Verstappen is the defending World Drivers' champion and has won each of the last four championships. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he is 49 points behind Norris. It is going to take perfect racing from Verstappen plus Norris to completely drop off the pace for him to finish top for the fifth year in succession.
How Soon Can Norris Win the Championship?
Norris will be aiming to win the 2025 Formula One World Drivers' Championship as soon as possible. There are 83 points in total remaining across the last three race weekends of the season. To claim maximum points, a driver will need to win all the Grand Prix’s and the final sprint of the season, which takes place in Qatar.
If Norris wins the next race, in Las Vegas, and Piastri failed to score, the gap between the two drivers would be 49 points. However, there will still be 58 points up for grabs in the final two races, meaning Piastri could still win. So, if Norris won in Las Vegas and Piastri did not score, Norris would need to finish 2 points better off than his teammate in the Qatar sprint race to seal the World Drivers' Championship. The Qatar sprint is the earliest Norris can win the championship and that would require Piastri to be pointless in Las Vegas.
Norris in Control
The fact talk has turned to how soon Norris can win the championship underlines the belief his will taste success this season. It will not come in Las Vegas and could come in Qatar but even going into the final race of 2025 in Abu Dhabi, if Norris still needed points to win, he would be the favorite. Norris has won each of the last two races going into the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the second time he has gone back-to-back this year. Piastri won three in a row in the earlier rounds of the season but has since won only three times compared to the six wins of Norris. The British driver has the momentum and should see out the season for his first World Drivers' Championship.
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