Lando Norris shares whether he’s treating Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri equally in F1 title fight

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Lando Norris has the opportunity of his Formula 1 career to clinch a drivers’ title at the Qatar Grand Prix.

His searing form over the last few months has helped him to gain the lead in the drivers’ championship and build a solid lead.

Down at McLaren, the roles have reversed between him and Oscar Piastri, who is now considered an outsider for the crown.

Norris knows that winning the Qatar Grand Prix will probably be enough for him to be champion before the final race. The sooner he secures it, the more hassle he saves himself from in Abu Dhabi.

For the majority of the year, Norris and Piastri have been working together to help refine McLaren’s papaya rules of engagement for on-track racing. Now, the work put into those could be vital.

Norris showed Max Verstappen he cannot ‘take advantage’ of him with his aggressive move at the start of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which he ended up being disqualified from. It was a strong statement to his rival.

READ MORE: Mika Hakkinen says Oscar Piastri is now facing the same problem David Coulthard had at McLaren

Lando Norris is treating Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri equally in the 2025 F1 title battle

McLaren have a ‘clear communication problem’, and it was highlighted by their disqualifications in Las Vegas. It’s an area they have been told to improve in.

They’re going to need to be on top of things in Qatar if they want to avoid creating an opening for Red Bull and Verstappen to exploit.

McLaren have been urged to make Piastri number two and back Norris, but it would be giving up on the Aussie’s chances. Keeping things even feels like the best policy.

And that happens to be exactly how Norris is treating Verstappen and Piastri on track. He thinks that both pose an equal level of threat to him this weekend in Qatar.

“I think they are equally good,” he said, according to Motorsport-Total. “I know what Max is capable of, and I believe Oscar can do exactly the same as Max.

“I think they are both very ambitious, they are both very strong, they are both incredible drivers, and I am looking forward to giving them a good fight on the track.”

READ MORE: Ralf Schumacher tells McLaren what ‘must not happen’ now for Lando Norris to secure the F1 title

Who needs to win the Qatar Grand Prix the most?

Although Norris has the luxury of a 24-point margin over his rivals, he will feel the urge to get the job done as soon as possible.

Obviously, though, he doesn’t need to win quite as much as Piastri or Verstappen. They risk dropping out of the fight with anything less than a win in Qatar.

If Verstappen loses ground, it’s a straight fight between the McLaren guys. If Piastri drops points, it’s going to be a battle between two separate teams.

In essence, McLaren are guaranteed a shot, while Red Bull have nothing to lose by sending everything in Qatar. It’s more of a must-win for them than McLaren in that sense, and should set up a thrilling event.