Lando Norris
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Formula 1 will have its first three-way title fight in 15 years at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Max Verstappen goes to battle against the two McLaren drivers.
The Red Bull driver took a crucial victory at the Qatar Grand Prix and did everything that was asked of him to give his team one last chance in 2025.
The gap in the drivers’ championship is just 12 points between Lando Norris and Verstappen, and another four further back to Oscar Piastri.
But might that have been reduced without a late mistake by Mercedes’ young driver Kimi Antonelli, which allowed Norris to pass for fourth place in the dying moments in Qatar?
Who has been your Qatar Grand Prix Driver of the Day?
Verstappen called McLaren’s failed strategy ‘interesting’ and couldn’t believe that he walked into a position to win in Qatar, despite looking lost on Friday and Saturday.
Although it was a return for ‘vintage’ Piastri, he still finds himself in the most unfortunate position heading into next week.
READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli ‘massively impressed’ during private Mercedes F1 debrief despite Qatar GP fury
F1 fans defend Kimi Antonelli from Red Bull ‘conspiracies’ after Helmut Marko rant
A late mistake by Antonelli saw him run wide and gifted a position to Norris at turn 10, which might have transformed the title fight.
The two extra points Norris gained mean that a Verstappen win means he can now afford to finish third and still claim the title. With a fifth-place finish in Qatar, the minimum bar would’ve been second.
Helmut Marko hit out at Antonelli immediately after the race, telling Motorsport.com that: “It was twice where he more or less waved Lando by. It was so obvious.”
But fans have come to the Mercedes driver’s defence on Instagram, calling any Red Bull ‘conspiracies’ far-fetched at this stage in the season.
Toto Wolff blasts ‘brainless’ Helmut Marko after his Kimi Antonelli accusation. Who do you think is in the right? Comment below
“He was pushing extra hard in an attempt to get into Sainz’s DRS. It was an honest mistake,” said one fan.
“F1 fans’ favourite hobby is imagining conspiracies against their favourite driver. It’s a very silly community,” replied another.
“Holy cope from Max fans. They forgot how in 2021 there were 4 Red Bulls fighting Lewis, especially in Turkey,” reminded someone else.
“People speculated when it happened with Timo Glock, they’ll speculate over Kimi too,” added a fan, whose memory of the 2008 finale remains strong.
“Kimi would defend Max with everything he has, he also won’t give away points. This kid is hungry for another win. So I’m with Toto [Wolff],” shared another individual who felt as though there was no malpractice.
And finally, one last comment read: “But why Mercedes would help Lando? I didn’t get it.”
Why Red Bull desperately need a favour from Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Heading into the finale, Red Bull know that Verstappen must win and hope that two cars can get in between himself and Norris.
That’s where Mercedes, who have been a lot stronger than Ferrari over the course of the campaign, come in.
Who is your pick for the 2025 champion after the Qatar Grand Prix?
If Piastri is ahead of Norris with nothing to gain, he would probably move by for the sake of the championship.
That means that it’s going to have to be two other rival cars that get them into a title-winning position. Mercedes might just be their best bet.
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