The Formula 1 edit

Article by Finley Ever

For the first time in 15 years, we have a three-way battle for the WDC going into Abu Dhabi, the last race of the year. This time around, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri will all fight for the title tomorrow. Each driver is impossibly close in points to one another, but a certain sequence of events will have to happen in order for each driver to take home the title.

The starting top 3 for tomorrow’s Grand Prix via F1’s Instagram page

how max verstappen can secure his 5th title

4-time World Champion Max Verstappen sits on Pole Position for tomorrow’s fabled night race. After passing Oscar Piastri in the rankings by winning in Qatar last Sunday, he now sits in second place just a mere 12 points away from Lando Norris in first. For Max to win his 5th title tomorrow, he needs to win the race, which shouldn’t be hard for him since he’s already in first. It’s a known fact that once Max takes the lead of a race, he rarely loses it! But he can’t just win the race to win the WDC. The caveat is the fact that Lando has to finish 4th or lower, so if Max wins but Lando shares the podium with him, Lando still wins.

Lando Norris preparing for Qualifying via McLaren’s Instagram

How lando can win the wdc

Leading the WDC, Lando is the most apt to take the title tomorrow, but unfortunately, he wasn’t fast enough to secure Pole, he is set to start from second. Lando has never had more pressure to finish in the top three than he does right now, because the Papaya driver will secure his first championship if he finishes on the podium, places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. So even if Max or Oscar are able to win the race, but Lando is still right beside them, Lando will win.

Oscar Piastri via his Instagram

how oscar piastri can make a comeback and win the championSHIP

Just last Sunday, when Oscar Piastri lost second place to Max Verstappen, many fans felt that this was the end of the Aussie’s run for is first title, but he’s still in contention! He will be able to take back the lead and win the WDC if he wins the race tomorrow and Lando finishes P6 or lower, quite a lot to ask for, but many McLaren fans suspect that Lando will be favored tomorrow because he is currently in the lead, so it would be easier to help Lando win by getting him on the podium than helping Oscar who’s back in third. McLaren’s strategies are known for being predictable and other times unpredictable, and especially in a race like Abu Dhabi, anything could happen! It’s best not to count Oscar out, because after a perfect streak in Qatar of Sprint Pole, the Sprint win, and Pole Position that ended with a loss of the race win, many feel a redemption arc drifting through the wind for Oscar!

What a year this has been! A roller coaster to say the least, and regardless of who wins tomorrow, all three drivers have worked so hard to prove they deserve a seat amongst the best racers in the world. Lando Norris deserves to win, Max Verstappen deserves to win, and Oscar Piastri deserves to win. Good luck to everyone and may the best driver win!