Formula 1 heads to Abu Dhabi as a three-way title fight for the first time in 15 years after Max Verstappen capitalised on a late strategic error by McLaren to win in Qatar.
McLaren's decision not to pit under a safety car at Lusail handed Verstappen the victory and slashed Lando Norris's championship lead to 12 points, with team-mate Oscar Piastri a further four behind. Piastri had appeared set for a certain win before the call left him stunned and demoted to second, dropping from second to third in the standings. 'It's pretty painful,' he said, while Norris remains favourite: he can secure the title in Abu Dhabi with a third place even if Verstappen wins.
The situation echoes 2010, the last time more than two drivers arrived at the final race with a mathematical chance of the crown. That year Ferrari's missteps in Abu Dhabi opened the door for Sebastian Vettel; the memory is particularly resonant after a season in which McLaren have already suffered costly errors, including a double disqualification in Las Vegas that cost vital points.
The pivotal moment in Qatar came after a lap seven crash between Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly prompted a safety-car period. Pirelli's 25-la
