One week after McLaren’s disappointing outcome at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, they faced another setback at the Qatar GP due to a poor strategy call. This misstep allowed Max Verstappen of Red Bull to score a seventh win this season and narrow the championship gap. Verstappen is now just 12 points behind Lando Norris, the current leader, ahead of the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the recent blunders, McLaren still has two strong contenders. Oscar Piastri is just four points away from Verstappen in the fiercely competitive title race. Last Sunday, McLaren’s drivers lost a combined 30 points after both were disqualified. Norris, who needed a win to clinch his first F1 title, finished fourth, while Piastri, starting from pole, placed second.
A key moment came after an early safety car. McLaren decided not to pit their drivers, which gave Verstappen an advantage with a free tire change during a mandatory two-stop race. Norris expressed frustration over the team’s decision, stating, “We just have to have faith in the team to make the right decision.”
Currently, Norris leads the championship with 408 points, followed by Verstappen at 396 and Piastri at 392. Each contender has seven wins this season. If Norris finishes at least third in Abu Dhabi, he will make history as the first British driver to win since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
After the safety car, Piastri took an early lead but was critical of the team’s strategy, saying, “We clearly didn’t get it right.” The decision not to pit was especially puzzling given the high risk of tire degradation at the Lusail International Circuit.
Looking ahead, Verstappen’s recent form makes him a formidable opponent in Abu Dhabi, where he has won four of the last five races. On the flip side, Norris will draw on his victory at last year’s event as a source of motivation. Verstappen remains confident, stating, “It’s possible now but we will see.”
As this thrilling championship battle unfolds, the stakes are high, and all eyes will be on Abu Dhabi for what promises to be an exciting conclusion.
For more auto racing news, visit AP Auto Racing.
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Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, Nico Hulkenberg, Pierre Gasly, Automobile racing, General news, Formula One, Auto Racing, Formula One racing, Sports, U.S. news, Andrea Stella, Las Vegas, Liam Lawson, U.S. News
