Daniel Moxon

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen comments at Abu Dhabi GP speak volumes Lando Norris began the weekend with a dominant Friday display but Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri remain threatening.

"After twenty-three Grands Prix and six more Sprint races in a nine-month slog across five continents and 21 countries, it all comes down to this. The decider in the desert."

A little scene-setter ahead of Sunday's showdown ✍🏁

Where Norris, Verstappen and Piastri stand after first day at Abu Dhabi GP Friday's running at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is in the books and Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri have spoken about how they feel ahead of Sunday's title showdown

Where Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri stand after the first day of running at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – and what each of the F1 title contenders said 🗣

Ad-lite article 📰

Sky F1's David Croft on Abu Dhabi GP title showdown and who he's backing to win Sky Sports Formula 1 commentator David Croft gives his verdict on title contenders Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale

Had a chat with Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft ahead of the Decider in the Desert. His verdict on the three contenders and why he isn't "flip-flopping" on who he thinks will be crowned champion like his Sky colleague Karun Chandhok 🗣

F1 news live as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen speak on Abu Dhabi GP media day The outcome of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will decide whether Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri can stop Max Verstappen winning a fifth consecutive Formula 1 drivers' title

On live blog duty as media day ramps up ahead of the F1 season finale 🏁

Guess which band’s music makes the toddler happy being in the car?

🏁🇶🇦 Please stop sending death threats to teenagers | Pit Lane Chronicle Or to anyone, for that matter.

You would hope that this wouldn’t need to be said, but… here we are.

Thanks Mike. From a a reporter standpoint, we’ve been pushing for UX improvements for years. It frustrates us as much as it frustrates readers!

Tough balance to strike between UX and keeping the lights on but, as you say, we’re working on it

Tsunoda will remain within the Red Bull stable as test and reserve driver for the main team, and will also take on reserve duties for Racing Bulls whenever Ayumu Iwasa is unavailable.

Red Bull axe long-serving driver for 2026 F1 season as rookie promoted from F2 Max Verstappen has a new F1 team-mate while another veteran Red Bull driver has lost his place in F1.

Confirmed: Verstappen and Hadjar at Red Bull, Lawson and Lindblad at Racing Bulls in 2026. Tsunoda without a race seat.

Developing story 👇

Thanks for the feedback, Anne. That's very much the goal of this format so glad to hear that it's an easier read.

It's a hard balance to strike because, as you say, we need to keep the lights on. But we all know how bad the user experience can be and, as reporters, we share that frustration...

Kimi Antonelli's death threats and how Mercedes and Red Bull have responded Kimi Antonelli has blacked out his Instagram page in response to a deluge of abuse including death threats sent his way after the conclusion of Sunday's Qatar Grand Prix

Experimenting with a new, ad-lite and concise way of covering stories. Let me know what you think and I can pass on any feedback 📰

F1 star Kimi Antonelli, 19, blacks out Instagram profile after death threats Express Sport understands more than 1,100 severe comments were sent to Kimi Antonelli's social media accounts.

He is 19.

Horrible abuse of Kimi Antonelli after his mistake which led to Lando Norris overtaking in Qatar. More than 1,100 comments, including death threats. I've seen some of them and have no words to describe.

Red Bull have released a statement 'regretting' GP and Helmut Marko's comments 🗣

Maybe! Wouldn’t be surprised if they took the opportunity to have some fun, though

Don’t think they could have picked a more perfect person to send up in the circumstances!

Max Verstappen's 'most important' Red Bull ally showed up McLaren in Qatar GP Red Bull nailed their strategy for Max Verstappen while a McLaren blunder cost Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Lot of love for Hannah Schmitz after Red Bull's principal strategy engineer took to the podium alongside Max Verstappen in Qatar. Can't help but feel that was a very deliberate decision from RB after McLaren messed up their strategy and handed them another lifeline in the drivers' title battle.

A small part of me thinks they’ve done it to troll McLaren. Wouldn’t be surprised!

After Red Bull made the right pit stop call which won the race for Max Verstappen, it's only fitting that head strategist Hannah Schmitz will be on the podium with the Dutchman!

Can't overestimate how big that Kimi Antonelli error could be in the title battle. Two extra points for Lando Norris which mean he still wins the championship by finishing third or higher in Abu Dhabi regardless of what the others do.

Potential Timo Glock moment.

Get the feeling they're keen to avoid picking one driver over the other at this stage (even if Oscar has priority under their own rules by virtue of being the car in front). Seemingly even if it means both of them lose out.

(I should caveat this by pointing out that Norris only needs third in both races and he'll still be champion. There's every chance he's decided to play it smart and not risk being taken out in a duel with Max, knowing that he doesn't actually need to beat either of them)

The start Lando Norris didn't want. Not only does Oscar Piastri keep the lead but he also loses second place to Max Verstappen on a track where overtaking after the first couple of laps is likely to be difficult.

If it ends like this, the title fight will still be a three-horse race in Abu Dhabi!

Vital Sprint pole from Oscar Piastri. Laid a glove on Lando Norris for the first time in a while and, if he can finish ahead, that will go a long way to boosting the Aussie's belief that he's still in this title race.

Advantage still very much with Lando, but a timely result for Oscar!

3:45am departure from the media centre. A new PB to end the Las Vegas GP weekend 😴

McLaren have finally issued a statement confirming their acceptance of the FIA ruling and that the breach “was unintentional”.

Team boss Andrea Stella has apologised to both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri 🟠

Norris and Piastri disqualifications confirmed. #F1 #LasVegasGP

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri face dramatic Las Vegas GP disqualification Both McLaren cars were referred to the stewards over a technical breach.

A twist from Las Vegas: Both McLarens have allegedly failed post-race technical checks and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri face being disqualified!

Opens the door for Max Verstappen who will be right back in this title battle if the two drivers above him are indeed removed from the classification 💥

Las Vegas Grand Prix result and key moments including terrifying incident The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix saw a dramatic start that saw several incidents including Lando Norris losing the lead.

On-the-flag report from the Las Vegas GP as Max Verstappen wins the battle but Lando Norris closes in on victory in the overall F1 title war. He's now more than a full Grand Prix win's worth of points clear of Oscar Piastri and can seal the championship in Qatar next weekend 🏁

Grid walk time 🏁

Lewis Hamilton suffers career-first humiliation as F1 Las Vegas GP grid set Lewis Hamilton suffered a humiliating qualifying session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and was the slowest qualifier in a career-first for the Ferrari driver as wet conditions wreaked havoc

"It feels horrible, it doesn't feel good. But all I can do, I've just got to let it go and try to come back tomorrow... This year is definitely the hardest year."

A dejected Lewis Hamilton in the written media pen after the worst qualifying result possible in Las Vegas 🏁

The FIA has confirmed that a fault was found with the manhole on the circuit that caused the red flags in FP2. The issue was fixed overnight and 15 manholes on the racing line were welded for good measure. Hopefully the end of any issues this weekend!

#F1 #LasVegasGP