McLaren Maintains Equal Support For Norris And Piastri Despite Verstappen's Challenge At Qatar Grand Prix

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Lando Norris maintains a 24-point lead in the Drivers' Championship, despite recent setbacks. Both Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified after finishing second in Las Vegas. Max Verstappen has now matched Piastri's points, intensifying the competition as the Qatar Grand Prix approaches. With only two races left, including Abu Dhabi on December 7, McLaren faces pressure from Verstappen's strong performance since the summer break.

Andrea Stella, McLaren's team boss, sees no need to favour Norris over Piastri. The team has consistently supported both drivers equally throughout the season. "There is no reason to do so," Stella stated when asked about potential changes in strategy. McLaren's 14 victories this season are evenly split between Norris and Piastri, each with seven wins.

Piastri remains optimistic about his chances. He stated, "We've had a very brief discussion on it, and the answer is 'no'." He believes he still has a chance to win if circumstances align in his favour. This approach aligns with McLaren's philosophy of allowing both drivers to compete freely until mathematical possibilities dictate otherwise.

Max Verstappen has been formidable since returning from the summer break. He aims for his third consecutive win at a single Grand Prix, a feat unmatched by any driver. In Middle Eastern races, Verstappen has won eight out of the last 13 events. His consistent podium finishes since the Netherlands race highlight his current form.

Verstappen leads in several categories this season: most wins (13), pole positions (10), podiums (18), and sprint points (138). However, he has only reached the podium three times in the last seven sprints after an earlier streak of ten consecutive podiums.

Norris' Achievements and Milestones

Lando Norris has achieved significant milestones this year. With seven wins in 2025, he matches Piastri's record for McLaren drivers this season. Only Lewis Hamilton has more wins without securing a title: eight in 2021 and ten in 2016. Norris' 17 podium finishes this year are second only to Verstappen's records of 18 in 2021 and 21 in 2023.

Norris will surpass David Coulthard as the driver with the most races for McLaren during the Qatar Grand Prix. This milestone underscores his long-standing association with the British team.

Current Championship Standings

The championship standings reflect intense competition among top drivers and teams:

As McLaren prepares for Qatar, they remain focused on their dual championship pursuit with confidence and awareness of their capabilities.

Two GPs remain, Lusail next #McLaren|#QatarGP pic.twitter.com/Zl5fqtwYWA - McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 25, 2025