With a 25-lap limit on tyre stints in place for the high-speed Qatar event due to concerns over wear, which effectively made it a two-stop race, lap seven was conveniently the earliest point in the 57-lap race at which drivers could pit and then complete 2 equal stints of 25 laps to finish.

Explained: McLaren's blunder in Qatar GP that could cost Lando Norris F1 title

At the time of writing on Saturday (Nov 29), after the Qatar GP sprint race, Lando Norris leads with 396 points and has two races remaining. Oscar Piastri sits second with 374 points, while third-placed Max Verstappen is on 371 points. 

Explained: Here's how Lando Norris can win Formula One 2025 title in Qatar GP

Four-time champion Max Verstappen came home fourth for Red Bull ahead of team-mate Yuki Tsunoda and teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli in the second Mercedes.

Formula One: Oscar Piastri keeps title hopes alive with cool victory in Qatar sprint

At the time of writing on Friday (Nov 28), Norris leads the standings with 390 points while Piastri is second with 366 points. Joining Piastri on the same number of points is Verstappen, who also has 366 points and was handed a wildcard entry into the title race. 

Explained: How McLaren star Lando Norris can seal F1 title in Qatar GP

As things stand, there are only 60 points up for grabs, meaning only the top three have a realistic chance of winning the Formula One 2025 title. No driver outside the top four can win the Formula One title in 2025 as they are mathematically out of the race.

Updated Formula One scenarios: Here's all you need to know as Max Verstappen gets wildcard entry into title race

After the Las Vegas GP, Lando Norris leads the title race with 408 points and has a maximum of 60 points (25*2 = 50 points for race winner, 1*2 = 2 points for fastest lap, 8 points for sprint race) to play with. 