How is Norris feeling?<\/p>\n
\u201cFeeling all good,\u201d he says cheerfully, striding past Brundle.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis could be ugly,\u201d emails Bill. \u201cNorris isn\u2019t the greatest starter in the world, and he and Piastri could take each other out on the first corner. It wouldn\u2019t surprise me. Plus, Verstappen will have his elbows out so far, they\u2019ll be like wings. His aggressiveness gets to Norris at the best of times. But if Lando can get away cleanly, then the race and probably the championship are his. That certainly seems to be what the team wants. So maybe a strategically sloppy pitstop for Piastri? Nah \u2026 they would never do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Thanks Bill.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n How is Max Verstappen?<\/p>\n \u201cAll good. Like always.\u201d<\/p>\n You always look so relaxed, says Brundle. Are there any nerves?<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. Just want to have a good time out there. Hopefully we\u2019ll have a good one. We\u2019ll do our best.\u201d<\/p>\n Better to be the hunter than the hunted, I suppose.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cVery good! Excited!\u201d says Novak Djokovic, when asked how he is.<\/p>\n Has he been sending some tennis balls down to Zak Brown?<\/p>\n \u201cYes I have. He\u2019s been good! He\u2019s been terrific!<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been very relaxed, but now it\u2019s about laser focus \u2026 I\u2019m trying to soak it all in, the energy is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Are there things he can take from F1 to tennis?<\/p>\n \u201cThe first thing that strikes me is, how well it\u2019s organised, how many things that are combined with sport and entertainment, to leave everybody speechless.\u201d<\/p>\n And with that he\u2019s gone.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so happy to be here,\u201d says Maya Jama, before revealing she was obliged to wear trainers on the grid due to a ban on open-toed shoes. \u201cI\u2019m with Red Bull today, hopefully we can make it to No 1, but we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n Maya Jama poses for a photo with team members of Oracle Red Bull Racing. Photograph: Mark Thompson\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.47 EST<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck to everyone, hopefully it\u2019s decided tonight\u2026 what an event, what an occasion. These are the things you can do when you\u2019re retired,\u201d says Steven Gerrard to Brundle.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t want anyone near me in the tunnel before a big game,\u201d Rio Ferdinand adds of the drivers rubbing shoulders on the start\/finish straight. \u201cBut these guys are used to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Steven Gerrard prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar. Photograph: Clive Mason\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.46 EST<\/p>\n \u201cThe Netflix documentary opened so many eyes, including my own,\u201d says the actor and comedian Kevin Hart of \u2018Drive to Survive\u2019. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n John Brewin has West Ham v Liverpool here, by the way:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If Norris outscores his teammate by four points and finishes ahead of Verstappen, he\u2019s the champ.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Who could forget 2021, when Hamilton v Verstappen went right down to the wire?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The famous Martin Brundle grid walk is coming right up!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI have pipped Oscar Piastri throughout,\u201d says the Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft of the possible destiny of this season\u2019s drivers\u2019 title. \u201cYou know what a stubborn old man I am. I\u2019m not changing now.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Monaco, Las Vegas, Singapore. The list of pitstops on Lando Norris\u2019 road to the top of Formula One<\/a> is like a luxury travel agent\u2019s catalogue.<\/p>\n So when I was asked to trace the young man\u2019s journey ahead of a weekend in which he could become the first British champion driver since Lewis Hamilton, my hopes were high.<\/p>\n As the taxi pulled up outside the Clay Pigeon Raceway in Dorchester, however, my excitement was taken down a few gears.<\/p>\n It may seem an inauspicious place to blood the talent of those who will become some of the most glamorous, fiery competitors in sport, but here, in the shadow of an industrial estate not far from Yeovil, is where a growing number of Formula One<\/a> stars are made.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Mathematically, Norris could finish as low as eighth and still be champion. But we are unlikely to need permutations that complex.<\/p>\n Personally I think Norris looks and sounds pretty chilled, and he remains confident of sealing the title, despite the drama of last week\u2019s disqualification.<\/p>\n Lando Norris. Photograph: Eric Alonso\/DPPI\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n You can feast your eyes on yesterday\u2019s sprint race and qualifying blog here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, says it\u2019s \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen, meanwhile, said something about trying to get the best possible start.<\/p>\n What do you think will happen today? You can email<\/a> me.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.13 EST<\/p>\n Preamble<\/p>\n Lando Norris will be world champion for the first time if he wins today. Though given the drama of recent weeks, most notably the disqualification of both McLarens<\/a> from the Las Vegas GP, it would be little surprise if the drivers\u2019 title goes down to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi next week.<\/p>\n More importantly for the destiny of the title, Piastri won yesterday\u2019s sprint race, trimming Norris\u2019s title lead to 22 points and taking pole position: so he is strongly fancied to take the chequered flag later. Max Verstappen of Red Bull isn\u2019t out of contention, either, but will need the cards to fall in his favour.<\/p>\n We can dig into the permutations a bit more but if Norris is at least 25 points ahead of Max Verstappen in a few hours, and 26 or more in front of his teammate Oscar Piastri, he is champion \u2026 could we see a new name on that illustrious list today?<\/p>\n Lights out: 4pm UK time.<\/p>\n![\"Sammy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sammy_Gecsoyler.png\")
Sammy Gecsoyler<\/p>\n