Lando Norris says he’s hoping for a ‘bad night’s sleep’ as he looks to secure his first Formula 1 world championship at Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Norris will start the penultimate race from second on the grid, behind team-mate and closest title rival Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen lining up third. The championship permutations are simple: if Norris finishes ahead of Verstappen and out-scores Piastri by at least four points he will clinch the title with one race to spare; a win on Sunday would guarantee the championship.
Current top three in the Drivers’ Championship
Lando Norris — McLaren — 396
Oscar Piastri — McLaren — 374
Max Verstappen — Red Bull — 371
When asked about his nerves, Norris said he hoped for a poor night’s sleep, adding that ‘the worse I sleep the better I do.’ He had briefly held provisional pole after the first Q3 runs, but Piastri reclaimed top spot on his final flying lap. Norris aborted his last attempt after suffering understeer at Turn Two, explaining that he felt quicker through Turn One but was pushed into a small understeer at Turn Two and chose to abort rather than risk damaging the floor. ‘Pretty disappointed,’ he admitted, and said the team will now focus fully on the race.
Starting from the second grid slot places Norris on the so-called ‘dirty’ side of the track, which typically offers less grip than the clean line. Norris — who began second in the 2023 Qatar Sprint and slipped to sixth — said he’ll have to make the most of his start and the long race run. ‘Hopefully they clean the right side a bit more,’ he joked, while acknowledging the race might not present many overtaking opportunities but leaving open the hope for chaos.
Sky Sports F1 commentator Jamie Chadwick noted that several support sessions and the Sprint may have reduced the usual dirty-side disadvantage, as additional track running can lay down more rubber.
Piastri, who dominated Saturday’s Sprint, will be aiming to repeat that form on Sunday to shave points off Norris’s lead. He stressed the value of clean air and a good getaway: ‘Everything was under control in the Sprint, so I will try to get a good start again and hopefully more of the same.’
Verstappen, still alive in the title fight, said he needs to finish ahead of Norris and will require ‘a bit of luck.’ He highlighted the importance of the start and the unpredictability of racing, noting that things out of a driver’s control can influence the result.
Overtaking at Losail is notoriously difficult: high-speed corners and dirty air make following and passing tricky, and pole has been especially valuable this season — the pole-sitter has converted pole to victory in most recent races. Concerns about tyre life have prompted a 25-lap limit on each set, meaning teams must plan for a minimum of two pit stops during the 57-lap race.
Sky Sports F1’s Qatar GP (UK) schedule
11.55am: F2 Feature Race
2.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday build-up (Sky Sports F1)
4.00pm: The Qatar Grand Prix (race start)
6.00pm: Chequered Flag reaction
7.00pm: Ted’s Notebook
Formula 1’s title fight continues at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday at 4pm (build-up from 2.30pm), live on Sky Sports F1.