IT is do or die for Lando Norris as Formula One heads into the final six races.
The biggest comeback in the sport’s history is on, and it will take something exceptional to pull it off – but it is not beyond the realms of possibility.
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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are in a battle for the F1 titleCredit: AP
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Norris won the Singapore Grand Prix last time out
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Verstappen has gone eight races without a win
The Sprint weekend at Austin’s sweeping Circuit of the Americas marks the first of the final races to the end of the season in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
SunSport has chewed the fat on the Verstappen-Norris title fight and what it will take for the McLaren driver to emerge victorious.
How things stand
Red Bull driver Verstappen holds a 52-point lead over Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.
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The tables have massively turned, given Verstappen held a season-high lead of 84 points up until the British Grand Prix in July 7.
In-form Norris has outscored him in all but one of the six races that have taken place since.
The margin of 52 points is the exact equivalent of winning two races with the fastest lap bonus point (25+1) on a non-Sprint race weekend.
đ Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year đ
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How many points are left to play for?
There is a maximum of 180 points up for grabs across the final six race weekends of the season.
That is 156 points in the remaining six grands prix, 25 for a win plus one for the fastest lap.
In addition, there are three sprint races remaining where one driver could bag a maximum of 24 points.
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The winners of the sprint races in USA, Brazil and Qatar will be awarded eight points for victory.
Emotional Lando Norris hugs F1 legend after Sky Sports presenter soaks McLaren star with water to ‘help out’
How does Norris need to outscore Verstappen?
Norris must outscore Verstappen by an average of almost nine points (8.67 points to be precise) at each grand prix weekend until the end of the season.
That is the points difference between first and third places (10 points) in a grand prix.
Norris cannot be crowned champion if he wins every race and Verstappen comes in second.
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That could have still been on the cards had Norris clung onto the bonus point at the most recent grand prix in Singapore for fastest lap.
But Daniel Ricciardo controversially snatched it away on fresh tyres with one lap to go.
When could the title be won?
The absolute earliest the title could theoretically be won by Verstappen is the Sao Paulo GP weekend on November 1-3.
But the Red Bull driver would have to outscore Norris by at least a whopping 34 points over the next triple-header.
Who’s got the quicker car?
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The MCL8 is the fastest car on the grid and introduced a flexible wing with a “mini DRS” effect
There’s no doubt about it being McLaren, who have won four of the last six races, two for Norris and two for Oscar Piastri.
This season’s McLaren MCL38 has been the most consistent performer on different types of circuit.
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Eric OâSullivan, James McCormick, Tom OâToole, Alan OâConnor (capt), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Will Greatbanks, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris (capt).
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Math Iowerth-Scott, Rhys Thomas, Dan Gemine, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Florence, Max Nagy.
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Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole & Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia â The PFL: Battle of the Giants pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above.
The press conference takes place ahead of Saturdayâs fight card, which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view and DAZN.
PFL: Battle of the Giants is built around two inaugural superfight title bouts. Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3) at heavyweight, and Cris Cyborg (27-2) vs. Larissa Pacheco (13-3) at womenâs featherweight.
Hereâs what you need to know about the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference.
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What time does the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference start?
The PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference starts at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT, which is 2 p.m. local time in Riyadh.
Whoâs taking part in the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference?
The four fighters scheduled for the superfight title bouts are slated to participate in the PFL: Battle of the Giant press conference: Ngannou, Ferreira, Cyborg and Pacheco.
Max Muncy and Walker Buehler broke down the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominant 8-0 victory over the New York Mets. They also talked about their standout performances in the Game 3 win.
But a groundbreaking operation, which required his breastbone to be split open, saved his career and enabled him to represent England again and win the Premiership with Saracens in 2023.
However, despite his remarkably quick return, he says it took time psychologically to recover from the procedure.
“[At the time] you just treat it as if it is an injury and you don’t realise how big it is,” Isiekwe said.
“It was kind of like [starting again]. I didn’t expect to have to start again but I have had to roll with it and I feel like I’ve got to the point now I wanted to get to.
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“It was difficult but I think there is something beautiful in the struggle.
“I had it in the back of my mind for quite a long time. But now I feel completely normal â and I don’t have any reservations.”
Isiekwe was a late call-up to the England squad for the summer tour of New Zealand following Charlie Ewels’ suspension, although he did not make an appearance – with George Martin and Maro Itoje starting the two Tests against the All Blacks.
“In the summer I had a few things I needed to work on, from a physical point of view,” he added.
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“But I used the summer to really get right and really push it. I feel great.”
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