Callum McAvoy
Published November 28, 2025 7:08pm
Updated November 28, 2025 7:16pm
Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook
Comment now
Comments
Lando Norris will start the Qatar sprint in P3 (Photo: Sky Sports)
Lando Norris says he does not expect to win the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, in what could be a major blow to his Formula 1 title hopes.
Norris has the chance to clinch the F1 drivers’ championship this weekend at the Losail International Circuit, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen.
After both McLarens were shockingly disqualified from last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, which Red Bull star Verstappen won, the Brit’s lead over his rivals stands at 24 points with two grand prix left.
He has the chance to extend his advantage during the sprint race on Saturday but has been dealt an early blow after Piastri pipped him to pole in Friday’s sprint qualifying session.
Norris will line-up third on the grid behind his teammate and George Russell, but ahead of Verstappen who qualified sixth after a difficult session.
And the 26-year-old didn’t seem confident that he could achieve victory in the shorter race, telling Sky Sports: ‘The pace was there but I made a mistake in the last corner. I just didn’t put it together.
‘I would be stupid not to try and win but it is impossible to overtake so I think I will probably finish P3. Getting past George Russell on the line is probably the best I can hope for.’
Oscar Piastri was beaming after qualifying on pole for the Qatar sprint (Photo: Getty)
Pole-sitter Piastri was in a much better mood than in previous weeks, saying: ‘It has been a good day, which is nice for a change. Things clicked from the start, so thanks to the team.
‘It has looked good this weekend so far. There are a few things to tidy up, which is nice to say on pole. It’s only Sprint pole but I will take whatever I can get.
‘Sprint weekends are tough to know if you are fully on top of things but it felt good all day and we made good adjustments before Qualifying. The pace was there all day.’
What does Lando Norris need to do to win the F1 championship at the Qatar Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen lines-up P5 on the grid after a difficult sprint qualifying (Photo: Getty)
In order to win the championship in Qatar, Norris must end the weekend at least 26 points ahead of Piastri and Verstappen.
His lead over both drivers currently stands at 24 points, so he needs to outscore his McLaren teammate and Red Bull rival by just two points, but that is easier said than done.
F1’s sprint race hands out points to the top eight finishers as follows: 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. In a full grand prix, the top 10 score points as follows: 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
F1 Qatar Grand Prix sprint qualifying result
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
As a result the Brit will not be able to win the title during Saturday’s Sprint race, but no matter the result in that he will get the opportunity to do so in the main race on Sunday.
More Trending
-
What Lando Norris needs to do to win F1 title at Qatar Grand Prix
Channel: F1 F1 3 hours ago By Tom Olver - What Lando Norris needs to do to win F1 title after Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Lando Norris breaks silence on 'frustrating' Las Vegas GP disqualification
- Supercomputer makes surprise Lando Norris prediction amid F1 title race
Should Norris fail to clinch the title in Qatar, the championship will be decided at next weekend’s season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
What time is the Qatar Grand Prix and how to watch F1 sprint race
The Qatar Grand Prix sprint race gets underway at 2pm UK time on Saturday, November 29.
Qualifying for the main event takes place afterward at 6pm before the race itself at 4pm on Sunday, November 30.
You can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with extended highlights available later on Channel 4.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Supercomputer makes surprise Lando Norris prediction amid F1 title race
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Football Newsletter – In The MixerYour guide to the week in football. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk – sign up, it’s an open goal.
Team Expand Options ? Select All Select All Arsenal Arsenal Aston Villa Aston Villa Bournemouth Bournemouth Brighton Brighton Burnley Burnley Chelsea Chelsea Crystal Palace Crystal Palace Everton Everton Fulham Fulham Leeds United Leeds United Liverpool Liverpool Manchester City Manchester City Manchester United Manchester United Newcastle Newcastle Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest Sunderland Sunderland Tottenham Tottenham West Ham West Ham Wolves Wolves Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
