Formula 1: Lando Norris says he’s relaxed despite lead thinning and Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen just 24 points behind him

Norris, who drives for McLaren, knows that the equation heading into this weekend's race at Qatar's Lusail track is simple: he will clinch the Formula 1 title if he scores at least two more points than Verstappen and Piastri across the weekend.

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain gets a pit stop during the first qualifying session at the Lusail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix, in Lusail, Qatar, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo)

Lando Norris holds the lead in the Formula 1 driver’s championship with just two more races to go, including this weekend’s race where there are 33 points on offer, with an additional eight from Saturday’s sprint race. But after being stripped off the 18 points he had earned from crossing the line in second place over last weekend, he’s acutely aware of the duo chasing him — teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen — who are just 24 points behind.

“Of course it hurts (to lose the points due to disqualification). But actually I found it quite easy just to move on,” said Norris, who has overhauled teammate Piastri to leap into the season lead. “I feel as relaxed as I was before, when I was 35 points behind (Piastri), and I feel the same when I’m 24 points ahead. That’s my strength for now.”

The 26-year-old Norris, who drives for McLaren, knows that the equation heading into this weekend’s race at Qatar’s Lusail track is simple: he will clinch the Formula 1 title if he scores at least two more points than Verstappen and Piastri across the weekend.

Piastri, who is also driving a McLaren, has not won a race since the final day of August where he triumphed at the Dutch Grand Prix. The Australian driver also has no podiums in the past six races. But he too is flying his hopes high.

“There’s still a chance,” the Australian driver said. “I also know that it’s a bit of an outside shot.”

Meanwhile, Verstappen too said that he believed that he’s in with a shot at the title.

“Ready. See what happens,” he said. “Yes, it is closer (than expected). Ideally I would have loved to have had it even more close. All in, and hopefully we can make it exciting to the end.”

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While the championship race will heat up with three contenders chasing the title, one man who is nowhere close to the championship is former champion Lewis Hamilton, who has cut a frustrated figure since moving to Ferrari.

“I feel terrible. Terrible,” Hamilton had remarked after the race at Las Vegas last week, where he recorded his worst-ever qualifying performance by finishing 20th.

Aside from clinching a sprint race in China in March, the 40-year-old Briton has not won for Ferrari. Overall, he has won only two F1 races in four seasons including this one.

(With inputs from AP)