Lando Norris minimize Max Verstappen’s result in 47 factors at a vigorous Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix on Sunday.
Verstappen was given two 10-second penalties for his driving in opposition to Norris however nonetheless managed to complete sixth, whereas Norris took second place.
Because the season reaches a dramatic climax, BBC Sport analyses the Method 1 title battle to look at what the McLaren driver must do, the elements which will assist him and whether or not historical past affords him hope.
When and the place are the remaining 4 grands prix?
1-3 November: Brazilian Grand Prix*
22-24 November: Las Vegas Grand Prix
29 November-1 December: Qatar Grand Prix*
6-8 December: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
*denotes a dash occasion, with the extra race on the Saturday earlier than the primary grand prix on the Sunday
There are 4 races to go, two of that are ‘dash’ occasions and there are a complete of 120 factors obtainable.
Which means Norris wants to shut on Verstappen by a median of slightly below 12 factors a race.
Twelve factors is greater than the distinction between first and third locations, so Norris most likely wants one thing to occur to Verstappen that causes him to lose a major variety of factors in not less than one race to have a sensible hope of overhauling him.
With such an enormous benefit already, Verstappen can also be heading in the direction of a degree the place he can clinch the championship at a selected race.
He’s not there but, but when Norris can’t convey the hole down shortly, that would come on the penultimate race in Qatar, and even the one earlier than in Las Vegas if Norris hits bother in Brazil and Verstappen scores massive.
How are factors awarded for ending positions?
The factors for the highest 10 locations in a grand prix are: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1
What distinction will dash races make?
There are extra factors obtainable at a dash occasion. Along with the factors for a grand prix, the winner of the dash receives eight factors, second place seven and so forth all the way down to eighth. There isn’t any level for quickest lap in a dash.
Verstappen has received all 4 dash races to this point, together with his victory in Austin the primary time he has taken the chequered flag because the Austria dash in June.
Will quickest laps be an element?
Sure. There’s a degree for the driving force who units the quickest lap so long as he finishes within the high 10, and each level might depend.
Can their team-mates make a distinction?
Sure. However as you’ll be able to see from above, it will take greater than that to have an impact.
Does Norris want help from Ferrari and Mercedes?
Sure. He wants as many automobiles between him and Verstappen on the finish of a race as potential.
Will sure tracks favour sure groups or drivers?
Sure, however it’s laborious to foretell reliably which of them.
Varied automobiles have particular strengths. McLaren struggled comparatively in Austin, they consider, as a result of there have been solely a few corners on the finish of the Esses that performed to their strengths in medium-speed bends.
In contrast, the Circuit of the Americas has numerous high-speed corners, and braking from high-speed into low-speed, and low-speed. The primary two of those traits are strengths of Crimson Bull, the final Ferrari.
After their dominant wins within the US and Mexico, Ferrari now appear to be potential winners in every single place – though Qatar will most likely be their worst circuit.
Qatar ought to be significantly sturdy for McLaren; Las Vegas favours Ferrari. Crimson Bull are at all times sturdy in Abu Dhabi, however they appear to have on steadiness the third-fastest automobile in the meanwhile.
The automobiles are so shut that different elements can come into play, too – who has a greater weekend, driver efficiency and many others.
What occurs if the drivers’ championship finishes stage?
If drivers tie on factors, the winner is decided by outcomes countback. Initially that may be who has most wins. If that’s equal, then who has most second locations and so forth.
Have Norris and Verstappen clashed this season?
Sure. Twice in a row now in Austin and Mexico Metropolis.
Earlier than that, they collided whereas preventing for the lead in Austria. Verstappen was penalised for the manoeuvre, however that didn’t assist Norris, as he retired and Verstappen completed fifth, a place not affected by the 10-second penalty he was given.
Though title battles are likely to introduce stress within the relationship between the drivers in query, their off-track relationship stays good.
Have eventual world champions come from a great distance again earlier than?
Sure. In 2007, Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was 17 factors behind McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton with two races to go. There was a distinct factors system then, and that was the equal of 43 factors now. The Finn received by a degree.
Different examples embody 1986, when McLaren’s Alain Prost was 11 factors behind Williams’ Nigel Mansell – the equal of 33 factors now – with two races to go and received. And 1983, when Brabham’s Nelson Piquet was 14 factors – the equal of 43 factors now – behind Prost with three races to go and received.
How have McLaren managed to slender the hole to Crimson Bull this season?
Crimson Bull began the season with a comfortably sooner automobile than McLaren, who have been third quickest behind Ferrari as effectively within the first 5 races. However an enormous improve in Miami made the McLaren aggressive in a single day.
As time has passed by, the McLaren has received an increasing number of aggressive and the Crimson Bull has fallen again.
Crimson Bull appeared to make some progress with an improve in Austin, however McLaren launched a small improve in Mexico and appeared to step ahead once more.
Phrases: Andrew Benson and Alan Jewell
Graphics: Andy Dicks
