What does Norris need to win the championship in Qatar?

McLaren's Lando Norris can become Formula 1 world champion this weekend at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Going into Sunday's race British driver Norris leads the drivers' championship with 396 points, 22 points more than team-mate Oscar Piastri and 25 more than Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

If Norris finishes 26 points or more ahead of Piastri after the race in Qatar and also at least 25 points in front of Verstappen he will win the title on Sunday.

There are 25 points available for finishing first place in each of the two remaining races - Qatar on Sunday and Abu Dhabi next weekend.

Put simply if Norris wins the Qatar Grand Prix, he will become champion this weekend.

If the Englishman does not win the race, he can still clinch the title in Qatar if he outscores Piastri by at least four points and finishes ahead of Verstappen.

Should that not happen the championship fight will go on to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The reason that Norris only needs to finish the Qatar race weekend 25 points ahead of Verstappen but 26 points ahead of Piastri is that there is countback to consider.

Should the drivers end up tied on points, then the person with the most wins overall is champion. If they are tied on wins, then it is the most second place finishes.

As things stand, Norris and Australian Piastri are level on race wins, with seven each. Verstappen has six race wins.

If it comes down to second-place finishes, Norris has the most across this season, which cannot be surpassed by his rivals.

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