Lando Norris admits he was ‘just hanging on’ during his super-fast P1 Sprint quali lap at Qatar GP

Lando Norris clocked in at 1:21.012 to clinch pole at the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint race qualifying on Friday.

Lando Norris admits he was ‘just hanging on’ during his super-fast P1 Sprint quali lap at Qatar GP

Lando Norris (via IMAGO)

McLaren driver Lando Norris put in a stellar effort during the closing stages of SQ3 to clinch pole for the Qatar GP Sprint race. Norris won the last sprint race at Interlagos and will be hoping to do the same at Lusail on Saturday.

Lando Norris has been no short of remarkable this season. He has amassed three wins and 12 podiums so far for the Woking-based team. The Papayas now stand at the top of the constructors’ championship with a lead of 24 points.

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Norris took advantage of the relatively cooler temperatures at the Lusail International Circuit. He nonetheless mentioned the difficulties during the insanely fast last sector in Qatar. The 25-year-old also admitted that the circuit felt like the fastest one this year.

It’s tough, it’s so quick around here. It feels like the quickest circuit of the year. The final sector, you are just hanging on. Great qualifying today, great to bounce back from where we were in Vegas.

Lando Norris said after the Sprint race qualifying

Norris, who is no longer in the running for the drivers’ championship, now views his team’s goals as his own. The Brit will now seek to notch good results in all formats until the race on Sunday.

Lando Norris’ take on McLaren’s ambitions ahead of Sprint race

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have been the most effective duo in terms of performance this campaign. The two now start P1 and P3 at the Qatar GP sprint race, with all to play for in the last races of the season.

Lando Norris (via IMAGO)
Lando Norris (via IMAGO)

I want to win. We want to win every session as drivers. We want 1-2. We know Mercedes and Ferrari will be quick. We expect it to be an exciting one tomorrow.

Lando Norris said after the Sprint race qualifying

Norris has clarified that the Woking-based team seeks to win in every format heading into the last two races. Oscar Piastri, who starts P3, must try and find pace in order to make a perfect 1-2 finish along with the Brit on Saturday.

McLaren has not won the constructors’ championship since 1998. With only two races to go, the team is inevitably the closest to achieving their goal this year. However, they will face stern challenges from the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari along the way.