Lando Norris has been closing the gap to drivers’ championship leader Max Verstappen since the summer break but will he be able to overhaul the Dutchman over the final six races of 2024?
BBC Sport analyses the Formula 1 title battle to examine what the McLaren driver needs to do, the factors that may help him and whether history offers him hope.
Norris is 52 points behind Red Bull’s Verstappen with six races to go – three of which ar sprint events, and a total of 180 points are available.
That means Norris needs to close on Verstappen by an average of 8.9 points per race – more than the difference between first and second places but less than the difference between first and third.
There are more points available at a sprint event. In addition to the points for a grand prix, the winner of the sprint receives eight points, second place seven and so on down to eighth
Verstappen has won all three sprint races so far, although the last one was in June, in Austria. He has not taken the chequered flag first since then.
Yes. If McLaren’s Oscar Piastri can beat Verstappen, then it reduces Verstappen’s ability to score points
Bull’s Sergio Perez on both Norris and Piastri, but given the Mexican’s poor form, that seems less likely.
He doesn’t need it, but it would help. The more drivers who can get between Norris and Verstappen – the lower Verstappen finishes, in other words – the better it is for Norris.
Read more news on sportrythm.com
