F1 world title points permutations and when Lando Norris can win championship
The battle for the F1 drivers’ title between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continues at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Lando Norris is edging closer to his first Formula One World Championship title after a string of impressive performances. The British driver is leading the pack, with team-mate Oscar Piastri still firmly in contention.
Norris has been in formidable form since the Italian Grand Prix, steadily gaining ground and eventually surpassing the Australian in the rankings. He now sits comfortably ahead of his team-mate, whose own performances have taken a hit since Azerbaijan.
Norris also appears to have fended off reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen, who is now trailing by 49 points with just three races left. The trio are now heading back to the United States for the third time this season, with an exciting Las Vegas Grand Prix to look forward to.
But can Norris clinch the title this weekend in Nevada? Mirror Sport have all the details.
Can Lando Norris win the F1 World Championship in Las Vegas?
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In short, no, Norris cannot secure his first world championship at the Las Vegas GP. Even if the Brit were to win the Grand Prix and Piastri failed to score, the gap still wouldn’t be large enough.
That is because Norris would extend his lead at the top of the standings to 49 points should this scenario play out, and there are still 58 points up for grabs after Las Vegas. All three drivers – Norris, Piastri and Verstappen – are still theoretically in the running to win the title.
How many points are still available?
The maximum haul still up for grabs across the final three races stands at 83 points. A driver would only achieve this by winning every remaining Grand Prix on the calendar plus the final sprint of the season in Qatar.
When could Lando Norris lift the world championship?
Norris could secure his maiden F1 world championship crown at the Qatar Sprint. Should he triumph in the Las Vegas GP with Piastri failing to score, the 26-year-old would need just two more points to seal the title.
This would mean Norris finishing the Sprint in at least seventh position. All three drivers remain in contention for victory, but former F1 champion Damon Hill is ‘rooting’ for the McLaren driver to realise his ambition.
Hill said: “He’s found something, hasn’t he? And it’s been perfect timing. It’s come at a time when Oscar suddenly looks a bit forlorn, a bit under pressure. They’re both learning about fighting for a World Championship… It’s not the same as just driving.
“It becomes a discipline, really, a mental and psychological discipline which is quite demanding. That’s what the goal is: To find out who’s got the right stuff and who hasn’t. Lando is world champion material, he’s already shown that this year.
“Yes, there was a time when he went missing, but he’s definitely back with a vengeance now, so it’s looking good for him.
“From a patriotic point of view, of course we’re rooting for Lando – keep it in the family a little bit! We’ve got a great record in this country of world champions. We always seem to be able to produce a new one. If one of us withers, then there’s another one waiting.”
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