Lando Norris says he’s hoping for a “bad night’s sleep” as he appears to be like to seal his first F1 world title on Sunday on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Norris will start the penultimate race of the season, which begins at 4pm (build-up from 2.30pm dwell on Sky Sports activities F1), from second in behind pole-sitter and closest title rival Oscar Piastri, with the opposite title protagonist, Max Verstappen, in third.
If Norris finishes forward of Verstappen and outscores Piastri by not less than 4 factors, he’ll grow to be world champion with a race to spare, whereas victory on Sunday in Qatar would assure the title.
Requested by Sky Sports activities F1 how he’ll sleep, Norris mentioned: “Hopefully bad! The worse I sleep the better I do!”
Norris held provisional pole after the primary runs in Q3 however Piastri stole it again with a mighty lap on the finish of qualifying, whereas Norris deserted his remaining effort at Flip Two as he understeered vast.
He defined: “Flip One was a lot better. I felt like I used to be a tenth up however at Flip Two I am unsure. I do not know if the wind modified. I simply bought pushed right into a small understeer and that value me. I needed to abort the lap. I used to be going to go off the monitor, and I did not need to injury the ground.
“Pretty disappointed. I’m convinced I would have been on pole but I’m not now! I can’t always be great and on pole but there was an opportunity on Saturday. It’s over now and our focus is on the race.”
Will soiled aspect of the grid hamper Norris?
Ranging from second means Norris can be launching off from the soiled aspect of the grid because the drivers don’t use that a part of the monitor on a traditional lap, as an alternative taking place the left-hand aspect the place Piastri on pole and Verstappen in third will begin from.
Norris, who began from second within the 2023 Qatar GP Dash and dropped to sixth, says his aspect of the grid is “a lot worse” when it comes to grip.
“We will see how my start is. Hopefully they clean the right side a bit more! I will just have to maximise what I’ve been doing,” he mentioned.
“It’s a long run. There are always opportunities but I don’t think it will be a race full of opportunities. Hopefully I’m proved wrong and it’s a chaotic race.”
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Highlights from the F1 Dash on the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix
The pole-sitter has received seven of the final eight races this season and overtaking in Saturday’s Dash in Qatar proved tough because of the high-speed corners which make it laborious to comply with, plus the aerodynamics on the present F1 vehicles creating numerous soiled air.
Piastri dominated the Dash and is hoping to repeat that efficiency on Sunday to take not less than seven factors out of Norris’ championship benefit.
The Australian mentioned: “Keeping the lead helps a lot in terms of the clean air. Everything was under control in the Sprint, so I will try to get a good start again and hopefully more of the same.”
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Watch as Piastri claims a shocking pole for the Qatar GP
McLaren have the automobile to beat, so Verstappen may very well be very aggressive firstly, understanding he should end forward of Norris to maintain his championship hopes alive.
Verstappen says he’ll want “a bit of luck” to win the race, which contains a 25-lap tyre restrict on account of tyre issues, which means there can be a minimal of two pit stops.
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Max Verstappen shared his disappointment relating to the restrictions of his automobile after qualifying in third place for the Qatar GP
He mentioned: “The start can be quite important. We will try to have a good one but, at the same time, you never know what happens in a race.
“Some issues usually are not in your management. Some loopy issues can occur behind you, so it’s essential to preserve all the things open.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Qatar GP schedule
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Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Qatar Grand Prix
Sunday November 30
11.55am: F2 Characteristic Race
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Qatar GP build-up
4pm: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
6pm: Chequered Flag: Qatar GP response
7pm: Ted’s Pocket book
System 1’s thrilling title race continues with the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday at 4pm (build-up from 2.30pm, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
