Lando Norris expressed disappointment after a mistake cost him the pole position in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race. Despite leading the championship by 24 points, he finished third behind Oscar Piastri
and George Russell. Norris aims to secure the title on Sunday by gaining two points over Piastri and Max Verstappen. Reflecting on his performance, Norris stated, "I think the pace was there, I just made a mistake in the last corner on my second lap and didn't put it together. "
Norris remains determined to win Saturday's sprint race despite the challenging overtaking conditions. He said, "[It'll be] stupid to not try and win [on Saturday]. I'm here to try and win, so I'll see what I can find overnight and see what we can do for tomorrow. " Starting from third, he hopes to gain an advantage over Russell at the start.
Verstappen will begin Saturday's sprint from sixth place as he continues his quest for a fifth consecutive world championship. The upcoming F1 regulations in 2026 will focus on energy management, with half of the cars being electric and the other half using sustainable fuels. Verstappen has expressed uncertainty about his future in F1 if these changes don't appeal to him.
"My contract runs until 2028, but it [his future] will depend on the new rules in 2026, and if they are nice and fun," Verstappen told PA. He added that winning seven titles isn't a priority for him. "I know that there are three more years after this one, so it could be possible, but it is not something I need to do before I leave the sport. "
The starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint features Oscar Piastri in pole position, followed by George Russell and Lando Norris. Fernando Alonso secured fourth place, while Yuki Tsunoda starts fifth. Verstappen is sixth on the grid, with Kimi Antonelli seventh.
Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Grid
Carlos Sainz will start eighth for Williams, Charles Leclerc ninth for Ferrari, and Alex Albon rounds out the top ten for Williams. The race promises intense competition as drivers vie for crucial championship points.
Verstappen also shared his thoughts on potentially leaving F1: "I have a lot of other passions; other racing categories, I want to spend more time with family. " He emphasized that once he decides to leave F1, it would be final: "In my mind, I know if I close the chapter, it is closed. "
The weekend's events highlight both Norris's determination to clinch his first title and Verstappen's contemplation of life beyond Formula One. As regulations evolve, drivers must adapt their strategies accordingly while considering their long-term career paths within or outside of motorsport.
