"We are 50 minutes from the start of qualifying. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but for what it's worth, here's how it went in the practice sessions: pretty well for Norris. He missed out on a clean sweep, after being fastest in FP1 and FP2, coming in second by 0.004 in FP3 but it was George Russell in the Mercedes who pipped him, rather than either of his title rivals. Verstappen was third, 0.124 slower than Russell, and Piastri, +0.259, was pushed down to fifth by Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin. The 2025 nightmare continued for Lewis Hamilton, who crashed in his Ferrari."
"There are all sorts of points permutations possible, if Russell, say, lands the win. But given Piastri needs 1st or 2nd to overtake Norris, it is impossible for all three drivers to wind up on the same total. Abolishing the extra point for fastest lap has spoiled the fun a little. Norris cannot tie with anyone who has actually won the race, which means the Briton is champion if he finishes 1st equal on points with either Verstappen or Piastri."
"All three have seven wins, negating the first tie-breaker, but Norris has eight second places to Verstappen's five and Piastri's four. For the record, 1st 25pts, 2nd 18pts, 3rd 15pts, 4th 12pts, 5th 10pts, 6th 8pts, 7th 6pts, 8th 4pts, 9th 2pts, 10th 1pt."
Practice sessions showed Lando Norris fastest in FP1 and FP2 and narrowly second in FP3 to George Russell, with Verstappen and Piastri trailing. Fernando Alonso pushed Piastri to fifth and Lewis Hamilton crashed in his Ferrari. Points permutations allow several championship outcomes, but Piastri needs to finish first or second to overtake Norris. The removed fastest-lap point prevents some tie scenarios. All three title contenders have seven wins, so Norris's eight second places give him the decisive tie-break advantage. A Las Vegas disqualification earlier cost Norris 18 points, keeping the title contest alive.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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