Lando Norris says he feels “relaxed” as he heads into the Qatar Grand Prix, where he could secure his first Formula 1 World Championship. The McLaren driver leads team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 24 points heading into the penultimate rounds of the 2025 F1 season.

Championship Scenarios

Norris can clinch the title in Doha if he scores at least two more points than both Piastri and Verstappen across the race weekend. Speaking ahead of the event, Norris emphasized his calm mindset:

“I feel as relaxed as I was before when I was 35 points behind the lead, and I feel the same when I’m 24 points ahead. That’s my strength for now.”

The Briton has overturned a 34-point deficit to Piastri since the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August, demonstrating remarkable consistency in his performances over the last few months.

Recent Form and Team Dynamics

Norris has won two of the past seven races, while Verstappen has taken four victories during the same period, mounting a late-season challenge after being 104 points behind following the Dutch Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Piastri has struggled, failing to finish on the podium in his last six grands prix, his last win being at Zandvoort.

Despite a setback at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both McLaren drivers were disqualified due to excessive skid block wear, Norris has moved past the disappointment.

“Of course it hurts… all that effort just felt like it disappeared very quickly. But actually I found it quite easy just to move on and have a few days off and come to this weekend. Yeah, disappointed, of course. But I was fine otherwise,” Norris said.

He also stressed that McLaren will treat Qatar like any other race, focusing on consistency and areas for improvement rather than altering their approach due to the championship situation.

Piastri and Verstappen Responses

Oscar Piastri acknowledged the uphill battle to overtake Norris in the standings.

“There’s still a chance… it’s a bit of an outside shot. Even if I have a perfect final two weekends, I can’t just rely on that. I need other things to go my way… I’m going to try and have the best weekends I can,” said the Australian driver.

Piastri remains confident about his pace for Qatar, noting that the circuit suits his style and recalling positive past performances.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who has dominated much of the season with four wins in seven races, remains optimistic but measured:

“Ready. See what happens. It’s closer. Ideally, I would love to have it a bit closer. We will try our best, go all in, and hopefully we can make it exciting at the end.”

Looking Ahead: The Qatar Grand Prix

The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal event in the F1 calendar. With Norris in the lead, Piastri chasing, and Verstappen mounting a comeback, the weekend in Doha could decide the Formula 1 World Championship for 2025. McLaren’s preparation, driver focus, and tactical decisions will all play a critical role in the title fight, making it one of the most anticipated races of the season.