Australian Formula 1 sensation Oscar Piastri heads into the season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with the slimmest of mathematical chances to claim a shock drivers' world championship. While the odds are astronomically long, the cold, hard numbers confirm that the McLaren driver has not yet been eliminated from the title fight.
The Long Shot: Piastri's Path to Glory
The championship battle is effectively a two-horse race between Red Bull's dominant Max Verstappen and McLaren's Lando Norris. Verstappen sits atop the standings with 549 points, with Norris second on 337. Oscar Piastri holds third place with 304 points. For the Australian to pull off a miracle, he must win the race at the Yas Marina Circuit and rely on a catastrophic result for his rivals.
The precise scenario required is extreme. Piastri must win the race and score the bonus point for fastest lap, taking a maximum 26 points. Simultaneously, Max Verstappen must fail to score a single point, and Lando Norris must finish no higher than tenth place with no fastest lap point. Only under this perfect storm would the title swing to the Melbourne-born driver.
Focus on the Fight for Second
While the championship itself is a near-impossible dream, a more realistic and fierce battle is unfolding directly behind Piastri. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is breathing down his neck, just 14 points adrift in fourth place. The fight for third in the championship is very much alive and will be a key subplot in Abu Dhabi.
Securing third in the standings would represent a monumental achievement for Piastri in only his second season in Formula 1. It would cement his status as a top-tier driver and mark a significant step forward for the McLaren team, which has enjoyed a resurgent 2024 campaign.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Details
The final race of the 2024 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will be held at the Yas Marina Circuit. The event schedule for Australian viewers is as follows:
- Practice 3: Saturday, 9:30pm AEDT
- Qualifying: Sunday, 1:00am AEDT
- Race: Monday, 1:00am AEDT
All sessions will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and available for streaming on Kayo Sports. The race marks the end of a season where Oscar Piastri has claimed multiple podium finishes and his second career victory, proving he is a star of the present and future.
Regardless of the championship outcome, Piastri's 2024 season has been a breakthrough. From securing his maiden win to consistently challenging the established elite, he has shown he belongs at the very front of the grid. All eyes will be on the Aussie as he aims to end a spectacular year on the highest note possible in the desert.
