‘It’s Going To Be…’: Charles Leclerc Predicts 26-Year-Old To Win Drivers Championship

Lando Norris and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia during the driver’s parade at the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix (Picture credit: AP)

Star Monegasque Formula One driver Charles Leclerc has said that he has changed his mind multiple times this season as to who would go on to win the drivers’ championship, but given the current standings, he thinks Lando Norris will pip teammate Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen to the title.

Norris leads the championship by 12 points over Verstappen, who, in turn, has a four-point lead over Piastri.

What seemed all set to be an easy victory for a McLaren driver this season evolved into a fierce battle after Verstappen staged a brilliant comeback in the latter half of the year.

Since the summer break, Verstappen has stood on the podium in all nine races, claiming five victories. Norris mirrored his consistency, whereas Piastri’s form dipped.

Piastri lost the championship lead to Norris and now sits third behind Verstappen.

“I don’t know. I have changed my mind so many times this year. I thought it was Oscar, then Max. I probably think it is going to be Lando. 12 points are still significant,” Leclerc said while speaking to F1 when asked who among the three would be crowned world champion.

Leclerc was joined by George Russell and Isack Hadjar at the FIA press conference and both drivers echoed his view, backing Norris to take the championship.

Norris can clinch his first Formula 1 title this weekend with a podium finish, regardless of where his rivals end up. Meanwhile, Verstappen enters the Abu Dhabi season finale riding the strongest momentum among the three title contenders.

Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 champion, faces his first-time rival contenders with ease, entering the championship decider free of pressure.

“I am very relaxed, nothing to lose. I am enjoying being here. I have enjoyed working with the team in the second half of the season,” Verstappen said while speaking to the media.