Overview
- Lando Norris leads the standings on 408 points, 12 clear of Max Verstappen and 16 ahead of Oscar Piastri with one race remaining.
- Qualifying set the front of the grid with Verstappen on pole, Norris second and Piastri third for the Yas Marina showdown, with George Russell starting fourth.
- If Verstappen wins, he still needs Norris to finish fourth or lower to take the championship, whereas any podium secures the title for Norris.
- Norris topped the representative FP2 session on Friday, and practice featured a tense radio exchange after a near-miss between Norris and Verstappen.
- McLaren have already sealed the constructors’ championship, and both Norris and Piastri indicated team orders have not been discussed.