Norris not optimistic about Sprint chances after costly SQ3 mistake

21:14, 28 Nov

Updated: 21:41, 28 Nov

byKada Sarkozi

Lando Norris could not extend his pole position streak after the Briton finished third in Sprint Qualifying at the Qatar Grand Prix.

"It is impossible to overtake so I think I will probably finish P3 [in the Sprint]."

- Lando Norris

Championship leader Norris made a mistake on one of his laps in SQ3, which meant that he will start from third place in Saturday's Sprint.

Norris' rivals in the battle for the 2025 world title, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, will start from P1 and P6 on the grid.

After the session, the McLaren driver told F1 TV: "The pace was there but I made a mistake in the last corner. I just didn't put it together.

Norris finished in third place in Sprint Qualifying - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris not optimistic about making progress during the Sprint

Piastri and George Russell will line up tomorrow on the front row of the grid. Looking ahead, Norris was not too optimistic about overtaking.

He continued: "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."

Verstappen also had a similar verdict after the session, who hopes to 'survive' the Sprint before having the chance to make changes to the RB21 ahead of qualifying.

How can Norris win the title this weekend?

To claim his first world title this weekend, the British driver needs to outscore both Piastri and Verstappen by at least two points over the course of the Sprint and the Grand Prix.

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