DOHA :Only Lando Norris can become Formula One world champion in Qatar this weekend but the McLaren driver could also be overtaken in the title race by both teammate Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.

There are sufficient permutations to satisfy the hungriest of number-crunchers, or concern the anxious nail-biter, ahead of the penultimate round of the season at the desert Lusail circuit.

If it all goes horribly wrong for Norris on Saturday and Sunday then Australian Piastri or Red Bull's reigning champion Verstappen could go to the final race in Abu Dhabi the following week in the lead.

In one mathematically possible extreme scenario, the top three drivers could even line up on December 7 level on points.

Subscribe to CNA's Recommended Read A single handpicked story that we think you

See Full Page