Alonso on the showdown - "I wouldn't miss it for anything."

      "All three have a rightful claim to be champions."

      Fernando Alonso expressed his eagerness to see the historic three-way title battle this weekend - either from the driver’s seat or, if that’s not possible, alongside journalists. The Aston Martin veteran, who has faced a challenging season, was excited to hear that Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri will come to Abu Dhabi only a few points apart.

      "Yes, yes, they’re all right there - incredible," he said with a smile on Sunday.

      "Once again, the McLaren was likely a bit quicker, but circumstances always play a role, and now we head to Abu Dhabi. It’s fantastic for the sport and for all three."

      The 44-year-old declined to pick a favorite.

      "All three deserve, in a way, to be champions. I hope to be in the car - and if not, I’ll come here and watch it with you. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

      "I wish all three the best of luck."

      He relayed the same sentiment to Marca: "They’re all in the running for the world title. This is great for the sport and for the three drivers."

      Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, admitted he was completely unaware of the dramatic points shift in Qatar.

      "How is Max only 12 points behind?" he questioned reporters. Once informed that Verstappen won and Norris did not make the podium, Hamilton was taken aback: "Oh, I had no idea. Really? Really? Where did Piastri finish?"

      Observant drivers often keep track of the entire grand prix by watching the screens on the trackside. "More screens here would help," the Ferrari driver chuckled.

      "I couldn’t see the race, but that’s very thrilling."

      Later, Hamilton added: "Max has a fantastic car, but he also does amazing things with it."

      Charles Leclerc quipped that the only excitement he found during Ferrari’s poor outing in Qatar was mentally figuring out the championship scenarios.

      "I watched it on the big screens and did the calculations in my head," he stated. "That was the most thrilling part of my race."

      Teenage Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who faced allegations of swaying the title race in favor of Norris in Qatar, didn’t hide which of the three he’s actually cheering for.

      "I believe in it," he said regarding Verstappen’s chances. "I think he’s going to make it. He’s in a position where he has nothing to lose."