SportyTV - App
For You
App
Log In
article-image

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Norris will not ask Piastri for help in title decider

1
1
Clock Icon12 hoursMotorsport

Lando Norris insisted that he would not ask McLaren team-mate and fellow title rival Oscar Piastri for any help in order to clinch his first Formula One world title. 

The 2025 season is set for a thrilling conclusion at this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with three drivers in contention for the crown in the final race for the first time since 2010.

After 23 races of the 2025 season, Norris leads the way from Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 12 points, with Piastri also in with a shout as he sits 16 points adrift of the Brit. 

However, Norris knows that a podium finish at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday will be enough to see him become just the 11th different British driver to become the world champion.

But there are many permutations that could see the title land in Verstappen's hands. If Norris finishes fourth and the Dutchman wins the race, he will lift a fifth-straight crown. 

Piastri also has a chance, albeit a slim one, and would need his team-mate to finish sixth or worse if he took the chequered flag in first place to stand among the greats of F1. 

But one scenario widely debated in the build-up to the event is what McLaren – and their title-chasing drivers – would do late in the race in the event that Verstappen was winning, Piastri was third and Norris fourth.

In that situation, Verstappen would be set to take the title. However, a switch in the order of McLaren cars would see Norris claim the crown by two points instead.

"It's not really up to me, and I'm not going to ask it," said Norris on Thursday when he was asked about potential team orders.

"I don't want to ask it because I don't think it's necessarily a fair question. I don't know. It's up to Oscar if he would allow it, you know?"

Piastri had been on course to be closer to Norris after a strong showing in Qatar, where he won the sprint and was running first in the Grand Prix ahead of Verstappen. 

However, a poor strategy call from McLaren, which saw the team choose not to pit either driver for the first of two mandatory pit stops early in the race, allowed the reigning world champion to take his seventh win of the campaign. 

"It's not something we have discussed," said Piastri when asked about the situation. "Until I know what's kind of expected, I don't really have an answer."

Norris did, however, say that if the roles were reversed, and it was Piastri who was looking for help in the decider, he would be prepared to move aside and let the Australian pass.

"It's the same if it was the other way around. Would I be willing or not? Personally, I think I would because I feel like I'm always like that and that's how I am," Norris added. 

"It's not really up to me. I don't want to ask it because I don't think it's necessarily a fair question. If that's how it ends and Max wins, then that's it.

"Congrats to him, and we look forward to next year. It doesn't change anything."

Verstappen had been 104 points off the championship pace, but he has closed in on Norris with five wins from his last eight races and has been in this scenario before. 

He controversially beat Lewis Hamilton to his maiden world title in 2021 at the same circuit, and many believe his experience has put him in a strong position to challenge Norris.

"I've not been in this situation before. At the minute, I feel good. I don't think of it at all until people ask," Norris said.

"I come into the weekend not thinking of it. Just playing some golf, being with my mates, and I look forward to doing that on Monday, whether I'm hungover or not. 

"I will treat it the same. It's the same as the last few weeks. I've still felt comfortable and felt good in the car."

DRIVERS TO WATCH

Lando Norris – McLaren

Though Norris felt relaxed ahead of this weekend, he knows that the world will be watching in anticipation of a new name being etched onto the F1 world title. 

He will compete in his 152nd, and perhaps most important, Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, all of which have been with McLaren. He will become the fourth driver in the history of the competition in terms of appearances with the same team, surpassing Kimi Raikkonen's 151 with Ferrari.

But in the back of his mind, he will understand how the finest of margins could decide his season. Norris, Piastri and Verstappen all have seven wins in 2025, with only Lewis Hamilton winning more races in a year without lifting the title (eight in 2021 and 10 in 2016). 

And though Norris said he would not ask Piastri for help, the pair will compete in their 71st F1 race as team-mates, becoming the 12th pair to have competed in the most Grands Prix for the same team in the history of the competition. 

It will be the 13th time in F1 history that three drivers have a chance of winning the title in the final race. On four of those occasions, the driver who was first went on to win the grand prize (Juan Manuel Fangio in 1951 and 1956, Jack Brabham in 1959 and Graham Hill in 1968).

Max Verstappen – Red Bull

Verstappen's surge back into contention for the season finale has been simply stunning, and he arrives at a track where he has had so much success, which could be a worry for both Norris and Piastri this weekend. 

Indeed, he has taken pole position and victory in four of the last five editions in Abu Dhabi, although it was in last year's edition that he lost out to Norris. 

No F1 driver has achieved more victories (five) and pole positions (five) at Yas Marina than Lewis Hamilton, but Verstappen has the opportunity to equal the seven-time world champion in both of those metrics (four for the Dutchman). 

Verstappen has also led 107 different Grand Prix races. In Abu Dhabi, he has the chance to surpass Sebastian Vettel's 107 and become the third driver to have led the most races in the history of the competition. 

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers'

1. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 408

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 396

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 392

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 309

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 230

Constructors'

1. McLaren – 800

2. Mercedes – 459

3. Red Bull – 426

4. Ferrari – 382

5. Williams – 137