Oscar Piastri insists his dream of becoming Australia’s first Formula 1 world champion since Alan Jones in 1980 is still alive, despite qualifying third for Sunday’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — behind both of his championship rivals.

The McLaren driver will start directly behind teammate and current points leader Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen — sitting between them in the standings — stormed to pole for Red Bull. Piastri enters the race 16 points adrift of Norris and four behind Verstappen, meaning he must finish at least second and hope the results ahead fall in his favour if he is to rewrite history.

If the top three finish in the order they start, Norris will be crowned world champion.

“Until either Lando or Max cross the line in front of me, I’ve still got a chance of winning the title,” Piastri said after qualifying. “So we’ll see how the race pans out.”

The Australian looked in complete control of the championship picture just a few months ago. When he left Zandvoort in late August, he held a 34-point advantage over Norris and a 104-point buffer to Verstappen. But a tough run of eight races has seen that lead evaporate — and now Piastri faces the possibility of having to support his teammate’s title push instead of his own.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has already made it clear that whichever driver is no longer in mathematical contention will be expected to assist the other in the fight against Verstappen, as the team aims for its first drivers’–constructors’ title double since 1998.

Asked whether that discussion would take place before the race, Piastri acknowledged it is inevitable: “I’m sure we will talk about it, yes.”

Still, the Melbourne-born racer can draw hope from championship history. Kimi Räikkönen snatched the crown for Ferrari in 2007 after starting the final race third in the standings. Sebastian Vettel achieved the same feat in 2010 at Yas Marina, winning his first of four titles despite arriving in Abu Dhabi behind two rivals — one of whom was Piastri’s manager, Mark Webber.

“I need things to happen in the race to win the championship,” Piastri added. “So I’ll wait and see if those things happen.”