Lando Norris was hoping to become the 11th British driver in history to be crowned Formula One world champion at Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix.
Norris led McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and reigning champion Max Verstappen by 24 points heading into the penultimate race of the 2025 season.
If Norris outscored both Piastri and Verstappen by two points, he would have sealed glory ahead of the finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
However, his title rivals had other ideas.
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F1 Qatar Grand Prix results
Max Verstappen stormed to victory at the Qatar Grand Prix for the third consecutive season, confirming he will not give up the F1 title he first won in 2021 without a fight.
Verstappen started third behind the two McLarens and passed championship leader, Lando Norris, into turn one after making a blistering start.
McLaren's decision not to pit during a lap seven safety car ultimately proved their undoing, with Verstappen able to take his seventh win of the season ahead of Oscar Piastri.
Norris, Piastri and Verstappen have all won seven apiece and all head to next weekend's finale in Abu Dhabi with a chance of lifting the title.
Williams' Carlos Sainz completed the podium, while Norris limited the damage by passing Kimi Antonelli on the penultimate lap to claim fourth.
It means Norris has a 12-point lead over Verstappen heading into the decider, with Piastri four points further back.
In simple terms, if Verstappen wins at the Yas Marina circuit on December 7, Norris must come at least third to be crowned champion.
F1 Qatar Grand Prix, full classification
| Position | Driver |
| 1 | Max Verstappen |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz |
| 4 | Lando Norris |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli |
| 6 | George Russell |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso |
| 8 | Charles Leclerc |
| 9 | Liam Lawson |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda |
| 11 | Alex Albon |
| 12 | Lewis Hamilton |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon |
| 16 | Pierre Gasly |
| 17 | Lance Stroll |
| 18 | Isack Hadjar |
| DNF | Oliver Bearman |
| DNF | Nico Hulkenberg |
F1 Qatar Grand Prix starting grid
Piastri qualified on pole ahead of his team-mate Norris. Verstappen starts in P3 to set up what could be a straight shootout between the three title contenders.
| Position | Driver |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri |
| 2 | Lando Norris |
| 3 | Max Verstappen |
| 4 | George Russell |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli |
| 6 | Isack Hadjar |
| 7 | Carlos Sainz |
| 8 | Fernando Alono |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly |
| 10 | Charles Leclerc |
| 11 | Nico Hulkenberg |
| 12 | Liam Lawson |
| 13 | Oliver Bearman |
| 14 | Alex Albon |
| 15 | Yuki Tsunoda |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon |
| 17 | Lewis Hamilton |
| 18 | Lance Stroll |
| 19 | Gabriel Bortoleto* |
| Pit | Franco Colapinto |
*Bortoleto serving a five-place grid penalty for causing a collision at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
** Colapinto required to start from the pit lane after several changes were made to his Alpine under parc ferme
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F1 points standings 2025
Here is a look at the F1 standings after Sunday's race.
F1 Drivers' World Championship 2025
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
| 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 |
| 6. | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 152 |
| 7. | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 150 |
| 8. | Alexander Albon | Williams | 73 |
| 9. | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 64 |
| 10. | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 51 |
| 11 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 49 |
| 12 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 48 |
| 13 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 41 |
| 14. | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 38 |
| 15. | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | 33 |
| 16. | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 32 |
| 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 32 |
| 18. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 22 |
| 19. | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 19 |
| 20. | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 0 |
| 21 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 0 |
F1 Constructors' Championship 2025
| Position | Team | Points |
| 1. | McLaren | 800 |
| 2. | Mercedes | 459 |
| 3. | Red Bull | 426 |
| 4. | Ferrari | 382 |
| 5. | Williams | 137 |
| 6. | Racing Bulls | 92 |
| 7. | Aston Martin | 80 |
| 8. | Haas | 73 |
| 9. | Kick Sauber | 68 |
| 10. | Alpine | 22 |
When can Lando Norris win the F1 driver's championship?
Norris enters the final grand prix of the season in Abu Dhabi with a 12-point lead over Verstappen. This means that if the reigning world champion wins, Norris must finish at least third.
Piastri is four points further back. If the Australian wins at the Yas Marina circuit, he would go ahead of Verstappen. If he wins, Norris must come at least fifth to remain above his teammate.
Remaining races on 2025 F1 schedule
There is only one grand prix left in the 2025 season.
- Sunday, December 7: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix