“That overtake decided the championship” – Juan Pablo Montoya on why Norris will beat Verstappen. Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lando Norris won crucial points in Qatar.

Montoya: “Norris won the title with the overtake on Antonelli in Qatar”

The Colombian’s words

It’s almost time: in just a few hours, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri will appear together in a press conference as the trio vying for the Drivers’ Championship in the Abu Dhabi season finale. Norris currently leads Max Verstappen by 12 points and Oscar Piastri by 16. If the Red Bull driver wins, Lando Norris only needs to finish third to celebrate his first World Championship.

According to Juan Pablo Montoya, Lando Norris’ overtake on Kimi Antonelli at the end of the Qatar Grand Prix, caused by a Mercedes driver’s mistake, was crucial: “For me, with the overtake on Antonelli he won the title because he gained two fundamental points, and that’s why Red Bull was so upset,” Juan Pablo Montoya told GamblingArabia.com.

“The Papaya Rules will continue to ‘haunt’ McLaren, but McLaren will keep giving both drivers the same treatment,” Juancho added. “Of course, if Verstappen is leading the race near the end, Oscar Piastri will be asked to let Norris pass if the Australian is ahead of the Englishman. I don’t know how Mark Webber would take it, since he will surely want to protect Piastri, but in that case, teamwork is necessary if Piastri doesn’t want to risk being the third driver next year.” – the former Formula 1 driver concluded ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

With the margin so tight and every position potentially decisive, Juan Pablo Montoya’s prediction adds another layer of tension to what is already set to be one of the most dramatic season finales in years.