With just two races left in the 2025 Formula 1 season, fans are asking one big question ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix: Does Lando Norris become world champion if he finishes second tonight?
The simple answer is NO — the title fight will continue to Abu Dhabi.
Here’s why:
Lando Norris leads the standings with 396 points, followed by Oscar Piastri (374) and Max Verstappen (371). For Norris to secure the championship today, he must meet one of the following conditions:
1. Norris must win the Qatar GP
A victory guarantees him the title regardless of where Piastri or Verstappen finish.
2. If Norris does NOT win…
Then he must outscore Piastri by at least 4 points AND not finish behind Max Verstappen.
But finishing second does not achieve this, because:
-
If Norris finishes P2, Piastri can still finish P3 (or even P4) and keep the gap under the required four points.
-
Verstappen could also finish ahead or close enough to keep himself mathematically alive.
Key point:
A P2 finish does NOT give Norris the margin he needs to lock the title.
The gap simply wouldn’t be big enough — the championship would remain open heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Bottom line:
If Norris finishes anything other than P1, or if he fails to outscore Piastri by four clear points, the world title battle will continue and the championship will be decided in the final race of the season.
So unless Norris wins tonight, the fight isn’t over.
