DOHA, Dec 1 — After another bungled team performance from McLaren, Max Verstappen is now within reach of what seemed to be an improbable fifth consecutive drivers’ world championship.

Lando Norris, after two dominant and polished triumphs in Latin America, has rediscovered his self-doubts and will make the short trip from Doha to Abu Dhabi with a lead of only 12 points ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen.